The Tongan church community of a grandfather shot dead in Auckland’s Pakuranga Heights on Monday morning remembers him for his kindness, love of music, and for his commitment to the church.
Tu’ipulotu Vī, 59, also known as Saia Kokohu Vī, a member of Auckland’s Ellerslie Methodist Moia Mei he Eiki Church, died after police found him wounded in a car outside his Pixie Place address. He passed away at the scene shortly after.
Auckland police are still searching for suspects they believe were involved in the tragic shooting that led to his death.
While the fatal shooting remains unsolved, there are growing concerns as to why this tragic crime occurred in the first place.
Vi was a member of the church’s brass band and also participated in the Vahefonua ‘O Aotearoa Methodist band, where he played the euphonium.
“Tangata eni naʻe faʻa tokoni lahi kihe ʻeku ngaue fk-faihiva”, a Tongan Auckland music teacher, Lea’aesola Vuna, described how Vī often assisted his music teaching and performance and gave him constructive advices.
“Iʻm gonna miss your help and support my friend”.
Vi has also been described as churchgoer who often conducted church choir.
“Si’i tangata fofonga fiefia mo lototo angamalu lahi aupito”, another commenter described Vī on social media, saying he had a smiling face and a good heart.
He said Vī became a brass band player while studying at Tupou College in Tonga before relocating to New Zealand.
Vī was a courier driver and dog walker living with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren before his death.
The tragedy occurred after a Tongan mother was fatally shot in her home on Calthorp Close in Mangere, Auckland, in January 2020.
Meliame Fisi’ihoi, 57, was shot dead at point-blank range while answering a knock at her window.
The gunmen’s target was her son, Stephen Fisi’ihoi, who was not home at the time.
There is a growing consensus in the Tongan community in New Zealand, based on similar recent incidents, that such a shooting if proven to have a link to gangs, was apparently targeted for revenge.
Mistaken identity or revenge killing?
Following Vii’ death, the NZ Herald revealed Vi’s son was targeted in a drive-by-shooting just last month on the North Shore.
His son and daughter are also facing serious money laundering and drug importing charges, the Herald reported.
The 33-year-old son had been on bail, living at the North Shore home at the time, as previously revealed by the Herald.
The Beach Haven property on Rambler Cres was sprayed with bullets at around 6.30am on July 23.
The daughter’s partner also reportedly lives at the home and faces charges. He has also worked as a courier driver.
Vi’s son’s charges were laid as part of Operation Worthington, and allege he was a client of a Chinese money laundering syndicate.
His sister and her partner were also charged with drug importing and money laundering offences as co-offenders.
The couple were living with Vi at Pixie Place, according to court documents and electoral roll records.
Her partner’s occupation is listed as a courier driver.
There is no suggestion Tuipolotu Vi was involved in any crimes.
Asked whether the shootings at Beach Haven and Pakuranga were connected, or if detectives were looking into the possibility that the fatal shooting was a case of mistaken identity, the police media team did not respond to Herald questions.
Instead, they issued a general press release that confirmed the “familial link” between both addresses that were targeted.
