A dispute over the removal of a family parent from a home escalated into shouting profanities and an alleged machete attack, landing Viliami Taukei’aho in court with a conviction.
Justice Tupou KC found him guilty on two counts: serious causing bodily harm and common assault, arising from an incident on 13 February 2024.
The court heard that earlier in the day in Pea town, an argument took place at the home of Taukei’aho’s brother, Koloni.
Koloni and his wife Vaokakala were living in the house along with his parents, Sioeli Tupouhia and Naomi. Vaokakala’s brother, Tomasi Kitekei’aho, and his family had also been staying there while helping to build the home.
Tensions escalated when Koloni’s father, Tupouhia, became upset after being told to move out of the property.
Taukei’aho, who is Sioeli’s son, arrived at the house armed with a machete after collecting Sioeli from his own residence.
He confronted Vaokakala, his sister‑in‑law, demanding answers about the dispute involving their parents.
Witnesses told the court Taukei’aho was shouting profanities and threatening to cut the family “into pieces”.
Attempted Assault on Vaokakala
As Taukei’aho approached the front veranda, he lifted the machete and swung it toward Vaokakala, who ducked to avoid being struck.
The blade instead hit the wooden gate, leaving a visible cut.
Justice Tupou found that, although Taukei’aho may not have intended to seriously injure Vaokakala, his actions caused her to fear immediate violence.
“Assault is committed when the defendant intentionally or recklessly causes another to apprehend immediate and unlawful violence,” the judge said, concluding that the attempt to strike her was intentional and unlawful.
Chase and Injury to Tomasi
After pushing Vaokakala aside, Taukei’aho pursued Tomasi, who attempted to escape by jumping over the veranda railings. As he leaped, Taukei’aho swung the machete a second time.
Tomasi felt the blade strike the base of his right foot and later noticed a trail of blood as he ran to safety. His wife, Fai’ana, also witnessed the moment the machete hit Tomasi’s foot.
A medical report from Dr ‘Eliesa Ma’u confirmed lacerations to Tomasi’s first and second toes consistent with a sharp‑bladed weapon.
The defence argued that Tomasi may have been cut by stones, glass or roofing iron during his escape, but the judge rejected this as speculative and unsupported.
Credibility of Witnesses
Justice Tupou said she found Fai’ana to be a reliable and credible witness whose evidence was consistent and convincing. Tomasi’s evidence was also accepted, except for a minor inconsistency about how the gate was opened.
The defendant admitted swinging the machete twice but claimed he only intended to scare the family because they were “mocking him”.
The judge ruled the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the injury was caused by Taukei’aho’s machete and that the attack was fuelled by anger over his parents being asked to leave the property.
Justice Tupou said the violence stemmed from an unresolved family dispute that “got out of hand”, but stressed the court could not sympathise with those who take the law into their own hands.
The judge found Taukei’aho guilty on both charges. Count 1, causing serious bodily harm, related to injuring Tomasi with a machete during the dispute. Count 2, common assault, was laid for his attempt to strike Vaokakala during the same incident.
Taukei’aho now awaits sentencing.
