The body of Fonua ʻĀmanu Tāufa one of the four Tongan victims who were killed in Kaipara tragedy has been flown to Tonga last night Monday 5.
Hundreds turned up at the Auckland airport to farewell the 42-year-old.
His family hold nofoʻakimeʻa for his body at an Otara mortuary since it was released to them and it was concluded on Sunday night with vote of thanks for his kāinga in New Zealand by the ʻulumotuʻa.
Tāufa’s funeral service was expected to be held in Navutoka in Tongatapu at his father’s family cemetery.
His fishing friends who died with him when the boat they hired capsized were buried on Saturday last week.
Cousins Sūnia ʻUngoʻunga and ʻAlipate Manumuʻa were buried at Manukau Memorial Garden while Tēvita Tangi was buried at a cemetery in Remuera
Meanwhile the body of the man who was still missing after the boating tragedy has been located.
Eight men were killed in the tragedy including the skipper.
Police have confirmed on Monday that a body has been found at Muriwai Beach.
“A fisherman made the discovery at around 6am”, Inspector Mark Fergus said.
“Whilst formal identification is yet to take place, it is thought to be that of missing fisherman, Mr Taulagi Afamasaga.
“We have visited the Afamasaga family this morning to convey this news.
“Our thoughts are with them at this sad time”.
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