Town identity dies after pub brawl

The fight broke out at about 11pm in the Putaruru Hotel bar. Photo / Christine Cornege

A 71-year-old man has died after being punched in a scuffle in a small town pub.

Residents of Putaruru, in south Waikato, were last night in shock after hearing that local identity Fitu Leau had died in hospital yesterday afternoon after succumbing to his injuries.

The widower, who is understood to have six children and was a grandfather, had been in a critical condition at Waikato Hospital's intensive care unit after being admitted on Saturday night following a punch-up.

A witness to the brawl, who did not want to be named, said about 20 people were drinking in the Putaruru Hotel bar when the fight between Mr Leau and another local man broke out around 11pm.

Both men had "a few too many drinks", said the witness, and he saw Mr Leau punch a younger man twice.

The man, aged about 30, retaliated with a punch and fell to the ground.

"It wasn't a full-on bashing," the witness said. "It was just a smack in the face and he tipped over and hit the ground hard. Fitu had hit him a couple of times and the young fellow hit him back as a natural reaction."

The first punch from Mr Leau took everyone by surprise and the younger man who punched him back was "shattered" by what happened, said the witness.

Mr Leau was described as being "part of the furniture" at the Putaruru Hotel bar. "He was always dancing and stuff - dancing away to himself. He was a face you would see in the pub all the time."

Video of the scuffle was captured on the pub's CCTV cameras, and has been handed to police.

Detective Inspector Tim Anderson said yesterday afternoon they had been speaking to witnesses who were at the hotel on Saturday night and appealed for any others to contact the Putaruru police station.