Unlicensed drunk driver Amani Nolani’s Manukau death ‘difficult to comprehend’ – Coroner

Amani Nolani died when the car he was driving collided with a tree in the early hours of February 7, 2025.

One of the last things a friend said to Amani Nolani was that he was really drunk and should sober up before getting behind the wheel.

But the 29-year-old father of three, who did not have a licence and was meant to be at home at the time, as he was on a court-directed curfew, still decided to drive.

Four of his friends, who were all drunk too, also got in the car.

Less than an hour later, the car Nolani was driving collided with a tree, causing his death, and seriously injuring his passengers.

It’s a death which Coroner Ian Telford today said was preventable and served as a tragic reminder to others about the dangers of drink driving.

In the just-released findings, the coroner also reminded bystanders of the need to deter drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Driver was asked to slow down

Nolani had been drinking with friends at a bar in Manukau on February 6, 2025.

Shortly after driving away from the bar, Nolani was reportedly speeding and driving erratically, prompting passengers to ask him to slow down.

According to the findings, no one was wearing a seatbelt.

“These individual and collective decisions are difficult to comprehend,” Coroner Telford wrote.

Around 2.20am the following morning, Nolani was driving northbound on State Highway 1 when he collided with a tree.

Coroner Ian Telford issued findings on the death of Amani Nolani.

A toxicology report detected high levels of alcohol in his system, as well as methamphetamine and cannabis.

“It is a well-established fact that intoxicated and unlicensed drivers put everyone at risk – including themselves, their passengers, other road users and pedestrians,” the findings stated.

Police data showed the provisional number of road deaths in 2025 was 272, down from 292 in 2024.

There was yet to be data released on how many of those were drug and alcohol-related, but data from 2024 showed there were 113 deaths where a driver tested above the alcohol limit or refused a test, and/or tested positive for drugs.

Vehicle was overloaded at the time

A post-mortem examination found Nolani sustained multiple injuries to the head, chest and limbs. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The vehicle was found to be operating normally before the crash. However, the rear tyres and the right rear wheel bearing were worn.

The vehicle had a maximum loading capacity of 415kg and an estimate of the occupant weight was about 571kg at the time of the crash.

The weight and worn tyres were likely contributing factors to the crash, the coroner found.

According to the findings, Nolani was on bail at the time of his death and was due to appear in the Manukau District Court in the following weeks.

His bail conditions included that he was to be on 24-hour curfew at his Ōtara home and not to consume drugs or alcohol.

“Whilst making no attempt to diminish Mr Nolani’s responsibility in this matter, his tragic death underscores the consequences of driving while intoxicated and highlights the importance of intervention by those present when an intoxicated person intends to drive,” Coroner Telford said.

“The evidence indicates that Mr Nolani’s condition was apparent to his friends, yet no effective steps were taken to prevent him from driving. In fact, despite their awareness of his intoxication, they chose to get into a car with him.

“As a result, Mr Nolani died and all passengers ended up sustaining serious injuries in the crash – only narrowly avoiding death themselves.”

Nolani’s younger brother told NZME that he was a great dad to his three children.

“He didn’t even get to say goodbye to them or hug them,” he said.

“Losing a sibling is a feeling I will never wish on my worst enemies. I’m still mourning the loss of my brother to this day.”

He warned others not to get behind the wheel after drinking.

“Stop drink-driving before it’s too late. Call your brothers and sister and tell them you love them and how much you appreciate everything they done for you because I didn’t get that chance.”

The coroner’s findings would be sent to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) for it to consider if public safety messaging on this issue was needed.

Brianna McIlraith is a Queenstown-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the lower South Island. She has been a journalist since 2018 and has had a strong interest in business and financial journalism.