Memorial Service

Seasonal worker's body returned to family in Tonga after emotional farewell

Hiko Lynch, 23, was allegedly stabbed in central Blenheim during what police believe was an altercation between a gang from outside the region and three Tongans in the country on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

Stuff.co reports Lynch from his injuries while his two friends were taken to Blenheim’s Wairau Hospital seriously wounded, in the early hours of June 20. Lynch’s body was taken to Christchurch for a post-mortem.

Mourners remember former All Black Andy Haden at Eden Park service

The two teams have been the form franchises in Super Rugby Aotearoa and are heading for a showdown on August 16.

Scott Robertson was at Haden's funeral today and visited him in hospital in the days before he died.

Former All Black and Auckland coach John Hart told mourners at a service at Eden Park today that Haden says his dying wish was for the Blues to win.

"Razor smiled and said 'Andy that sounds like match fixing' to me, to which Andy smiled back and said 'I'm prepared to take the heat on that don't you worry'."

Dignitaries to attend memorial in Auckland for late Tongan Prime Minister

Akilisi Pohiva, who died in Auckland on Thursday after being hospitalised with pneumonia, had been the longest serving MP in Tonga and Prime Minister since 2014.

Tonight's service will be held at the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Mangere, and is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, her deputy Winston Peters and Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio.

Mr Pohiva spent much of this year in Auckland being treated for liver problems.

He will be repatriated to Tonga on Tuesday by the Defence Force.

Five Tongan crash victims remembered in memorial service

A year ago to the day August 2, five men were killed in a horrific crash on State Highway 2 on their way home from work at the kiwifruit packhouse.

Bay of Plenty Times reports Samuela Taukatelata, 28, Sione Teulaka, 21, Halani Fine, 28, Sitiveni Vaipulu, 44, and his teenage son Koli Vaipulu were remembered by colleagues, friends, family and some who never knew them.

Packhouse manager Clive Exelby said they had been expecting about 50 people for the memorial.

More than 200 turned up, many having travelled from Auckland.

Memorial service for Katikati crash victims

Father Sitiveni and son, Koli Vaipulu, 28 year old Halani Fine, Samiuela Taukatelata and Sione Tauleka died when their vehicle was hit by an unladen logging truck as they left work at a kiwi fruit cool store on the night of August 2, 2016. 

The manager of the cool store, Clive Exelby told Kaniva News reports the ceremony will be held next week.

Exelby said Tongans living in the area have been invited to the memorial service that will be held on Wednesday.

There will be prayers and speeches from community leaders.

One final haka as New Zealand bids emotional farewell to Jonah Lomu

On arrival at the stadium for a service to celebrate the life of Jonah Lomu, the public were handed black paper flags with a silver fern on one side and the number 11 on the other. Lomu’s two young sons, Brayley and Dhyreille, wore on their backs the 11 that their father made his own as an All Black winger, as did many of the pallbearers. The stage in the centre of the ground was draped on each side in a giant purple 11, the Tongan colour of mourning. Even the rugby posts, specially reinstalled on a warm, overcast summer day, poked 11s into the sky.