Man who lost family in Waiuku crash speaks of 'unimaginable loss'
Frances Latu-Vailea, her five-year-old daughter, Oneahi Vailea, and seven-year-old niece, Marly Tulua, died when their car left Masters Road in Auckland's Waiuku and crashed into a culvert in a wetland.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Amanaki Vailea, spoke of his grief.
The site where three people lost their lives in a crash in Waiuku (Source: 1News)
"A week ago, my world was shattered by the loss of my beloved wife and our precious daughter.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The pain of their sudden passing is hard to put into words.
"My wife was my better half, my confidant, and the steady heart of our home. Her love was unwavering and her presence brought warmth and light to everyone who knew her. She was not only my companion in life, but also my greatest blessing.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Ozzy Osbourne dies, a worrying find on Rakiura Stewart Island, and new Coke coming. (Source: 1News)
"Our daughter was a beautiful soul, full of innocence, laughter, and a light that touched every corner of our hearts. She brought us joy beyond measure, and her absence leaves a silence that nothing can fill."
He thanked everyone who had supported him as he faced an "unimaginable loss".
rnz.co.nz
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
10 hours ago
- 1News
Man admits role in near $4m Ponzi scheme that spanned seven years
A man has admitted his role in a nearly $4m Ponzi scheme that spanned seven years. Thomas Alexander Kokouri Tuira, known as Alex Tuira, and Aroha Awhinanui Tuira were charged in May 2023 by the Serious Fraud Office on 115 counts of obtaining by deception. The couple were scheduled to have their judge-alone trial in the High Court at Christchurch begin this week. On Thursday, Thomas Tuira appeared before Justice Jonathan Eaton and pleaded guilty to two representative charges. The remaining charges were dropped. His wife, Aroha Tuira, will have her trial continue on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT The charges state between May 2014 and May 2021 he obtained, by deception possession of, or control over property directly or indirectly namely 104 transactions totalling $3.9m. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including privacy concerns over road user charges, possible changes to Wellington's waterfront, and one of the biggest sports memorabilia heists ever. (Source: 1News) Charging documents said he "used a fraudulent device, trick or stratagem" where he presented as a "successful, well-connected" businessman who was investing funds and generating returns on behalf of investors when he was not. The list of transactions related to the following businesses - Ngakau Aroha Investments Limited, Power to Me Tapui Aotearoa Limited and Mai Gold Limited. After they were charged the SFO alleged the pair claimed to be experienced investors who managed funds as well as offering financial advice and financial literacy training through two companies, Ngākau Aroha Investments Ltd and Power To Me Aotearoa Tapui Ltd. "Between 2014 and 2021 the defendants exploited their clients' trust to obtain funds which were not invested legitimately, but instead used to pay other investors in a Ponzi-type scheme or used for personal and business expenses," the SFO said in a statement. It said the pair had obtained funds from more than 60 investors. The SFO started an investigation in 2021 into the couple and the companies.
1News
11 hours ago
- 1News
Man falls to his death during Oasis concert at London's Wembley Stadium
Oasis said that its members are 'shocked and saddened' after a man fell to his death during a concert by the band at London's Wembley Stadium. The Metropolitan Police force said officers and paramedics responded to reports of an injured person just before 10:30 on Saturday night (local time). It said a man in his 40s was found 'with injuries consistent with a fall.' He was pronounced dead at the scene. The force urged anyone who saw what happened or caught it on phone video to contact police. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including toddler found in suitcase on bus, Russian volcano erupts, and Liam Lawson pips former world champion. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT 'We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show last night,' Oasis said in a statement, offering 'sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved.' The Britpop icons' first tour in 16 year s kicked off July 4 in Cardiff, Wales. Saturday's concert was the fourth of seven planned shows at Wembley. Stadium management said today's gig would go ahead as planned.
1News
2 days ago
- 1News
Kiwibank warned for overcharging thousands of customers
Kiwibank has been formally warned by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) for failing to correctly apply aged-based fee waivers to thousands of joint account holders over a 13-year period, resulting in more than $900,000 in overcharges. Between July 2011 and November 2024, Kiwibank incorrectly charged transaction fees to 8,663 joint account customers, despite promotional materials stating that customers under 18 or 19 years old, or over 65, would be exempt. It affected joint accounts where the secondary account holder met the age-based criteria but the primary holder did not. Kiwibank was first alerted to the issued by a customer complaint in June 2023, with a staff member identifying the potential for the issue to be more widespread in December 2023. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, new report into submersible implosion, body found in Auckland park, and mixed injury news for the Warriors. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT The issue was subsequently investigated and validated, leading to Kiwibank reporting itself to the FMA in August last year. The FMA found that 6,400 customers were affected after the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMC Act) came into force in April 2014, with overcharges totalling $747,000. Under the FMC Act, financial service providers must not make false or misleading representations. The FMA said Kiwibank's account statements had misrepresented its right to charge fees and was a likely breach of the Act's fair dealing provisions. FMA executive director for response and enforcement Louise Unger said financial service providers had a responsibility to clearly and accurately communicate fees and ensure they charged what was promised. "It is also important that financial service providers have appropriate policies, procedures and controls in place to identify and address any fee-related issues in a timely fashion." Two root causes of the issue were identified, Unger said. "First, a lack of common understanding across Kiwibank about whether, and how, the fee waiver should apply to joint accounts. Second, a system design limitation where the age-based fee waivers could only be applied based on the primary account holder's age. ADVERTISEMENT "We recognise Kiwibank's cooperation and proactive effort to address the issue, including notifying the FMA and remediating impacted customers (including use-of-money interest). However, our view is that, in this instance, the issue could have been identified earlier with better product governance and internal controls." In a statement to 1News, Kiwibank acknowledged the warning, saying it took the matter seriously and regretted the error. "We have taken steps to fully reimburse impacted customers and have strengthened our internal policies, systems and controls to prevent this from happening again," a spokesperson said. "We acknowledge the FMA's findings and appreciate their recognition of our cooperation and proactive efforts to address this issue, including self-reporting it to the FMA and remediating impacted customers. "We remain committed to fair and transparent banking practices and will continue to improve our processes to ensure we meet the expectations of our customers and regulators."
