Pakuranga shooting: Second person charged 18 months after Auckland courier driver killed

A man has been charged with the murder of Saia Kokohu Vi, named by police as Tuipulotu Vi, after he was shot dead inside a vehicle on Marvon Downs Ave, Pakuranga Heights.

A 35-year-old man has been charged with murder over the death of a courier driver gunned down not far from his East Auckland home a year and a half ago.

A homicide investigation named ‘Operation Block’ was launched on 19 August 2024 after the driver Saia Kokohu Vi, known as Tuipulotu Kokohu Vi, was shot inside his van.

The incident happened on Marvon Downs Ave near Tuipulotu Vi’s home in Pakūranga Heights as he left for work before 7am.

Police at the time located Vi inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound and said he died at the scene despite efforts from first responders.

Counties Manukau detective inspector Shaun Vickers today said a 35-year-old Waiuku man has now been charged with his murder.

Police at the scene of the fatal shooting incident on Marvon Downs Avenue in Pakuranga, August 2024. Photo / Jason Oxenham

“This is the second man to appear in court over Mr Vi’s death and we cannot rule out further arrests being made in this investigation.”

The man is due to appear in the Manukau District Court today.

In September last year, 13 months after the shooting, a 23-year-old male was arrested and charged with being party to Vi’s murder.

Saia Kokohu Vi, known as Tuipulotu Kokohu Vi, was shot dead inside his van on Marvon Downs Ave, August 2024.

There are details in the case that the media are prevented from publishing because of court suppression orders.

Police at the time executed a search warrant at an address on Franklyne Road, Ōtara, where the man was taken into custody.

At the time of the shooting, nearby residents reported hearing sounds of gunshots.

A woman who raced to the aid of the courier driver said he loved his grandkids and she had no clue why he was targeted.

“He was a homebody … he loved his grandkids.”

Police standing guard on Marvon Downs Ave after the shooting. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

The Marvon Downs Ave resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she ran out to the crashed van after hearing a volley of shots that sounded like “they were just outside [her] window”.

“I ran outside and saw our next-door neighbour’s courier van had driven into our neighbour’s fence.

“As soon as I saw that, me and my partner ran over to see if he was still alive and if we could save him, but he was already gone.”