He leaves behind a large blended family who are shocked at his untimely death.
The wife and siblings of the man who was fatally attacked in Mt Wellington say he was a “gentle giant” helping a friend speak to “unruly” tenants and move them out of a property.
Widow Sarah Faatoia said a favour for a friend turned deadly when her 40-year-old husband Finauga“Lee” Ah Yen Faatoia died at a Mt Wellington townhouse on Saturday. A police spokesperson said they were notified a fight had taken place at the property, during which a man received critical injuries.
In a tearful exclusive interview, his wife and two sisters, Legalo Chantelle Dunn and Tasha Tiatia, spoke about losing the man regarded as the cornerstone of his family who was trying to resolve a property dispute dismissed by authorities as a civil matter.
Sarah said he had been doing a favour for his property manager friend by speaking to the “unruly” tenants.
“What might have seemed simple, ended up backfiring.”
Sarah alleged the tenants refused to move after being evicted. She said the property manager had been told by police it was a civil matter.
Finauga "Lee" Faatoia and wife Sarah.
Sarah said Faatoia was the perfect person to ask as, although he looked frightening, he only ever used his words to resolve conflict.
“But there was no intention for any violence, he was meant to just speak to them ... he wanted to, I guess, in his own little way, bring some justice to try and help out.”
Dunn said she wanted to quash earlier witness reports her brother had been drinking that day.
“He hasn’t drunk since 2016, never done drugs, he was there trying to help a friend.”
Dunn said he was just a “big kid” and even growing up he would never hit his siblings.
Although he trained in Thai boxing, was a bodybuilder and “looked scary”, he would “never hurt a fly”.
Finauga Faatoia, who was killed in Mt Wellington, went by "Lee" after his idol, Bruce Lee.
Faatoia leaves behind a big blended family of two children from a previous marriage and two children of Sarah’s, who she said he loved equally.
Sarah said that she and Faatoia had met in a “whirlwind romance” and she will “miss her husband every day”.
Dunn said her brother was a strong, spontaneous, loving, funny and talented man.
“He would do anything for his family.”
Finauga Faatoia with his sisters Legalo Chantelle Dunn and Tasha Tiatia.
She said he was the eldest grandchild and cornerstone of their family, always organising events, creating artwork for different parties and the go-to person when you needed help.
She said everyone knew him as “Lee” after his childhood idol Bruce Lee.
A 23-year-old man and 24-year-old woman both face murder charges.
Judge David Sharp remanded the male defendant in custody until his next appearance in the High Court at Auckland on September 18. He was granted interim name suppression.
RNZ reported the female defendant was also granted interim name suppression, but was released on bail.
This story has been updated to include a police description of events.
Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.
