Source: Radio New Zealand (world)
Auckland courier driverTuipulotu Vi was shot and killed in 2024. Photo: Supplied / Facebook An Auckland courier driver was allegedly murdered by a US-based hitman after Customs intercepted 18kg of cocaine and firearms police believe were linked to an international organised crime syndicate.
The killing followed a series of shootings across South Auckland, with the courier driver’s son one of the targets, police believe. RNZ earlier revealed Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi is believed to have been sent to New Zealand by an organised criminal group based in the US to carry out a killing.
He is jointly charged with two others of killing Tuipulotu Vi in August 2024. Vi was not involved in the drug world. The homicide investigation, dubbed Operation Block, is linked to Operation Mexted, a joint investigation by the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) and Customs, which targeted a transnational organised criminal cell.
Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz RNZ has obtained a court document which reveals the police allegations regarding Operation Block. There are five defendants in total who have all been charged with participating in an organised criminal group.
Two of the defendants have also been jointly charged, alongside Tangi, with murdering Vi. All of the defendants, aside from Tangi, have name suppression and have pleaded not guilty. Tangi is yet to appear in court in New Zealand.
The court document alleges the group are part of an international organised crime syndicate responsible for importing and dealing controlled drugs, mainly methamphetamine and cocaine as well as trafficking firearms. A firearm seized in 2025 as part of Operation Mexted.
Photo: Supplied/NZ Police In January 2024, Customs intercepted a consignment containing 18kgs of cocaine and six prohibited semi-automatic pistols. Police claim the syndicate had attempted to import the consignment into New Zealand. This seizure led to a police investigation which uncovered more than 125kgs of controlled drugs they believe the syndicate had attempted to import into the country from North America.
After the seizure there was a series of shootings in the South Auckland area. Police believe one of those targeted was Vi’s son. One of the shootings was in February 2024, where two people shot at a property in Favona more than a dozen times.
The property was the home of a man serving a prison sentence for importing methamphetamine from the US. In March another property was shot more than 12 times in Mangere East. The property was next door to the bail address of a defendant facing charges related to importing methamphetamine through Auckland Airport.
A third shooting happened in June where two people shot at another property in Mangere East. The property was the bail address of another person also facing charges over importing methamphetamine through Auckland Airport. Police claim that after these shootings, the syndicate turned their attention to Vi’s son.
In July 2024, two armed offenders shot at his bail address in Beach Haven. Police said he then went into hiding. Customs intercepted three more consignments of methamphetamine, containing about 5kg each, that police believe members of the syndicate had attempted to import into New Zealand.
Police believe the syndicate eventually arranged for Tangi to travel to New Zealand as a “Fly in Fly Out” shooter. It is alleged one of the defendants was responsible for sourcing the firearm for Tangi to use in the shooting.
Police claim another defendant was paid for this assistance, including being a point of contact for Tangi once he arrived. US-based hitman Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi is believed to have been sent to New Zealand by an organised criminal group based in the USA to carry out the killing.
Photo: NZ Herald/Jason Oxenham Tangi arrived in Auckland from San Francisco on 7 August before travelling to Wellington via another flight that same day. While in Wellington he rented a car from the airport and then drove to Auckland, staying at a motel in St Johns under his full name.
That evening, Tangi was captured on CCTV footage meeting another defendant and an unknown associate at McDonalds in Mount Wellington. He was then seen removing a suitcase from his car and giving it to the defendant.
They then drove to a property in Panmure. The following day Tangi met the defendant again. The defendant gave him a black suitcase, which police said contained a firearm. The court document said that in the days leading up to Vi’s death, Tangi carried out “reconnaissance” on at least 35 occasions at Vi’s family home and his son’s last known address in Beach Haven.
On the day of the killing Tangi was captured on CCTV leaving his motel about 4:45am. About 6:30am he parked near Vi’s home. Vi left his home at the usual time and got into his courier van and started driving to work.
As his van approached the intersection where Tangi’s car was parked, Tangi allegedly got out of his car, walked up to the van and fired six times from a semi-automatic pistol. Vi received four gunshot wounds to his head and upper torso.
He died at the scene. Police at the scene in Pakuranga. Photo: NZ Herald/Jason Oxenham Tangi then returned to his car and drove towards Flatbush where he abandoned his car. Then, about 7:30am another of the syndicate members picked Tangi up and drove him back to the syndicate’s Airbnb accommodation.
A syndicate member then drove to a Mobil and bought items including pre-paid sim cards. He then returned to Tangi. Tangi’s former NZ mobile phone number was deactivated shortly after. The member and Tangi then swapped clothing and Tangi returned to his motel.
Tangi travelled to Wellington that evening. That same day one of the syndicate members received snapchat messages into a group called “OTF – Only the Family”. A group member messaged a screenshot of a news article about the shooting with the caption “U heard it hear (sic) 1st!”.
Tangi flew out of New Zealand to Sydney on 21 August 2024 before returning to the United States. The following evening one of the defendants took a video of two members of the syndicate who were wearing balaclavas and sunglasses with a person heard saying “Operation Homicide”.
That same evening one of the defendants took videos of his at-home CCTV system in which he was captured saying: “we in the clear man we in the clear”. On 28 August one of the defendants was arrested at Auckland Airport attempting to get a flight to Sydney.
Other defendants were arrested on 17 and 18 September. As Vi’s van approached the intersection where Tangi’s car was parked, Tangi allegedly fired six times from a semi-automatic pistol. Photo: NZ Herald/Jason Oxenham The attempted murder In August last year Tangi allegedly attempted to murder a man in a shooting in Oakley, California.
RNZ has obtained court documents in relation to the charges Tangi faces in the USA. He is accused of attempted murder, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, fleeing a pursuing police officer’s vehicle while driving recklessly, and possession of a firearm.
He has pleaded not guilty and is currently on trial. A spokesperson for the local District Attorney’s office earlier told RNZ the office was “generally aware” that Tangi had another pending matter in New Zealand and that it was aware an extradition warrant existed.
Tangi was facing a possible life sentence with the possibility of parole, the spokesperson confirmed. “Regarding the New Zealand matter, the DA’s office does not litigate extradition proceedings.
However, we expect that once Mr Tangi’s case here in California concludes, the extradition process to New Zealand would move forward at that time.” RNZ sent several questions to Tangi’s lawyer, who declined to comment. “We cannot comment at this time and do not foresee being able to offer anything in the near future.” In an earlier statement to RNZ police confirmed a third person had been charged in relation to Vi’s death. “The man is currently in custody in the United States for offences committed in that country and is now subject to an extradition process,” Counties Manukau CIB detective inspector Shaun Vickers said. “We are working with the relevant authorities in relation to this.” Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Copyright © 2026, Radio New Zealand • Man accused of flying to NZ to murder, returning to US 13 Mar 2026 After allegedly murdering a courier driver, Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi went back to the US where he is also accused of attempted murder.
US national allegedly flew into NZ to carry out murder before flying back home Man accused of flying to NZ to murder, returning to US After allegedly murdering a courier driver, Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi went back to the US where he is also accused of attempted murder. • Second person charged with murder of Pakuranga courier driver 5 Mar 2026 The 35-year-old will appear at the Manukau District Court on Thursday, charged with the murder of Tuipulotu Vi.
Second person charged with murder of Pakuranga courier driver Second person charged with murder of Pakuranga courier driver The 35-year-old will appear at the Manukau District Court on Thursday, charged with the murder of Tuipulotu Vi. • Auckland shootings may have ‘familial link’ 22 Aug 2024 A fatal shooting that ended up with “kind grandfather” dead may be connected to another, several weeks earlier, police say.
Police eye ‘familial link’ to earlier incident in shooting of Auckland grandfather Auckland shootings may have ‘familial link’ A fatal shooting that ended up with “kind grandfather” dead may be connected to another, several weeks earlier, police say. • Pakuranga shooting victim identified as Saia Kokohu Vi 20 Aug 2024 The Tongan grandfather is being remembered by his community as a kind and lovely man.
Pakuranga homicide: Community grieving death of Tongan grandfather Saia Kokohu Vi Pakuranga shooting victim identified as Saia Kokohu Vi The Tongan grandfather is being remembered by his community as a kind and lovely man. • Neighbour baffled as ‘kind grandfather’ shot dead 20 Aug 2024 ‘Who could he have offended?’ ask locals, who are terrified the shooter is still on the run.
Audio Pakuranga fatal shooting victim’s neighbour baffled over why ‘kind grandfather’ was killed Neighbour baffled as ‘kind grandfather’ shot dead ‘Who could he have offended?’ ask locals, who are terrified the shooter is still on the run.
Audio • Documents reveal how Tuipulotu Vi was allegedly murdered by US hitman Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi • Cyclists in the spotlight after police make arrests • Engineer tells judge cracks in heritage building appeared 17yrs ago, but evidence of no maintenance • Fourteen prison staff arrested in Auckland • Man facing charges over illegal poker venues in Auckland flees country for ad-free news and current affairs • Documents reveal how Tuipulotu Vi was allegedly murdered by US hitman Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi • Bill seeking to legally define the terms ‘man’ and ‘woman’ passes first reading • Brethren church reminds members to give up pets after dog attack • Business performance sentiment remains near record low – BDO report • Cyclists in the spotlight after police make arrests Crime and Justice RSS