The New Zealand businessman who founded the once‑iconic Lepuhā Nightclub, a major entertainment hub for Tongans in Auckland during the 2000s, has died.
Christopher Yate, a former police officer widely known in the Tongan community simply as Chris, passed away last month, and his family held his cremation service last week.
News of his death has stirred memories among Tongans who frequented or benefited from his businesses.
For many, Lepuhā was more than a nightclub — it was a cultural gathering place during a time when Tongan‑run entertainment venues were scarce.
Yate operated the original Lepuhā Nightclub in Panmure from 2000 to 2017, a venue that became a staple of weekend nightlife for Pacific communities across Auckland.
The club later relocated to Karangahape Road and was rebranded as Lebox — a modernised English interpretation of puha, drawn from the original name Lepuhā, which in Tongan refers to a mythical attractive young man associated with the village of Leimātu‘a in Vava‘u.
Under Yate’s ownership, Lepuhā provided opportunities for local Tongan bands, DJs, performers, security guards and bartenders, many of whom built their early careers on its stage.
Community members today recall not only the entertainment but the sense of belonging the venue fostered.
Friends and patrons have taken to social media to share memories of Yate’s support for young Tongan musicians, his approachable nature, and his commitment to running a venue that celebrated Tongan identity through music and nightlife.
One commenter described the gathering at Yate’s cremation service as “beautiful and simple.”
Funeral details beyond the cremation were kept private.
