A family from the village of Pea in Tonga, currently living in Auckland, is grappling with the loss of their son.
He drowned after his boat capsized and sank in the Manukau Harbour on Tuesday afternoon.
Kaniva News can now reveal the name of the victim as Māsila Siua.
The police Eagle helicopter made the discovery on Thursday afternoon near Puketutu Island, where the deceased was last seen.
His body was recovered by police divers with help from the police maritime unit.
It is understood that Māsila was on a fishing trip with a nephew who raised the alarm that someone was missing after a treacherous swim to shore in large swells.
The boat was recovered and towed back to shore on Tuesday evening.
Eldest brother’s death
The family previously faced a similar tragic event in 2007 when Māsila’s oldest brother, Palu Siua, disappeared in the coastal waters of Gulf Harbour.
In that incident, Auckland Police said Palu and his companion were in their four-metre aluminium boat when several large waves swept across it, causing it to sink rapidly.
Both men went into the water, but the relative was able to swim to shore.
The Police recovered Palu’s body five days later near Auckland’s Okoromai Bay.
Cousin dies from cancer
The family is also in mourning due to the passing of Māsila’s first cousin, Setaita ‘Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who succumbed to cancer in Auckland.
Kaniva News has learned that Tu‘ungafasi passed away last night.
