Fuifuikula 'O Lofakaitamaki 'Ealelei is reported to have died of a suspected heart attack while he was asleep.
RSE Liaison Officer in New Zealand, Sefita Hao'uli, told Kaniva News that his co-workers attempted to wake him up on Sunday (May 16) before they realised he was dead.
'Ealelei died at the Mr Apple Tongan RSE worker's accommodation in Hastings.
His family are now working with Tongan and New Zealand authorities to take his body back home to Tonga.
The young father is survived by his wife and their two children.
There are 1,162 Tongan workers in New Zealand.
Source:
RNZ Pacific