Tonga prison escape: Tongan-Kiwi escapee found after almost a week on the run
A New Zealander who escaped police custody in Tonga has been recaptured after almost a week on the run in the small island nation.
Tongan-Kiwi Liuaki Fungalei Kokohu Vi was one of three men who escaped from Tonga’s main police station in Nuku’alofa on Sunday, July 19, local time.
The 34-year-old, who has a long criminal history and serious offences against him, was considered the “highest-risk escapee” of the trio.
In a new update from Tonga Police, authorities said the New Zealand citizen was apprehended on Saturday. He was found at a house in Hala’ovave – about 20 minutes away from Tonga’s capital city, Nuku’alofa.
“Tonga Police extend its sincere appreciation to members of the public for their support and co-operation, which contributed to the successful apprehension of the remaining escapee,” a statement read.
“Tonga Police thank the community for its continued partnership in helping to keep the country safe.”
Earlier, Tongan authorities offered a $3500 reward for information leading to his arrest.
An internal investigation is now underway to determine whether or not the men had help to carry out their escape that Sunday evening.
Tonga’s Police Commissioner, Geoff Turner, told media last week that for the men to “pretty much disappear”, they must have had outside help.
Turner said they had earlier identified a potential security risk in the cells at the Central Police Station, where the men escaped from, and that a company was due to fix the issue on August 3.
“Unfortunately, this happened before we could ... upgrade the cells.”
Son of Auckland courier driver killed by gunfire
Vi’s recapture came a day after it was revealed that he is the son of Auckland courier driver Tuipulotu Saia Kokohu Vi, who was shot dead outside his home in August, 2024.
The 59-year-old grandfather – who had no involvement in the criminal underworld – was killed while leaving his Pakuranga Heights home for work about 6.45am, on August 19, that year.
It was later reported that the man who allegedly murdered the Auckland grandfather, Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi, was a hitman from the United States sent to New Zealand to carry out the killing.
He and two other men are now jointly charged with murder.
New Zealand Police have been investigating the links between Tuipulotu Vi’s violent death and an organised criminal group based in the US. Police believe Tuipulotu Vi’s son, Liuaki Kokohu Vi, had been targeted.
Authorities described the incident as a “shocking display of violence”.
A neighbour on the street told the Herald at the time that she heard a volley of gunshots. She and her partner ran outside after spotting Tuipulotu’s van had crashed into a neighbour’s fence.
“Me and my partner ran over to see if he was still alive and if we could save him, but he was already gone.”
Other neighbours and family members spoke of a man of God who loved his grandchildren and worked hard in his courier job.
Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald’s Talanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and won the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.