The Government through the Minister of Finance has expressed its condolences to the families of seasonal workers who died in a tragic car accident in New Zealand earlier this week. 

Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai said it was never the intention of the government to send Samoans abroad for work and not return home to their loved ones. 

Two seasonal workers together with their uncle who lives in New Zealand died instantly from the crash and one other 21-year-old is fighting for his life at the hospital. 

Reports from New Zealand confirmed three other passengers of the van were seasonal workers and survived, the men were due to return to Samoa this week to reunite with their families. 

Lautimuia said they are waiting for official findings from the New Zealand authorities on the horror State Highway 1 crash to assist in the process of repatriating the deceased. 

He said the government extends their sympathies to the families of those involved saying he is mindful of how difficult it must be for families to hear about the loss of their loved ones. 

“The government does not take these matters lightly,” said the Minister. 

“Especially these are serious incidents from the seasonal workers scheme and this was not the intention of the government to send our people overseas to die there but such accidents happen.”

The deceased have been identified as 45-year-old Faaofo Uili Faaofo who was instantly killed alongside his nephews, Leauga Jerry Leauga, 37, and Ta’avao Kelemete, 32.  

The government is waiting for official findings from the investigation to determine what led to the accident that took the lives of Samoan workers. 

N.Z. Herald reported Fa’aofo was a proud uncle who simply wanted to spend some time with his seasonal worker nephews before they flew back to Samoa this week.

Lautimuia said they have only read reports of the incident from the newspaper but would need an official report to assist in paperwork to bring home the men to their families. 

New Zealand police reported that the initial indication of the crash suggested the truck tyre blew out and is suspected to have caused the accident. It crossed the median into the northbound lane, colliding with a van carrying seasonal workers and two other cars.

Samoa’s seasonal workers liaison officer in N.Z., Samoa High Commissioner and Trade Commissioner are in contact with those under the scheme and carry out regular checks. 

Lautimuia noted there has been a drop in drug and alcohol-related cases involving seasonal workers which is a positive outcome of continuously working together and the importance of pre-departure orientation.