Former Tongan Lay Minister Jailed for Sexually Abusing Disabled Child in Auckland

A former Tongan lay minister and Sunday school teacher has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison after pleading guilty to the sexual abuse of a 10-year-old disabled boy in Auckland, New Zealand.

According to Kaniva Tonga, 47-year-old Hapa ‘Ofanoa was sentenced to four years and ten months behind bars following a series of sexual offences that took place between 2014 and 2017, while he was employed as a healthcare assistant entrusted with the boy’s care.

The Auckland District Court heard that ‘Ofanoa pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection and five counts of committing indecent acts on a young person. The abuse reportedly took place at the victim’s home, compounding the breach of trust.

Judge Patel, who presided over the case, described the offences as “serious, repetitive, and premeditated,” and said that ‘Ofanoa had violated both professional and moral obligations, particularly given his leadership role within the church.

As part of his sentencing, ‘Ofanoa was placed on New Zealand’s Child Sex Offender Register, meaning he will be subject to long-term monitoring upon release to reduce the risk of reoffending and to safeguard the community.

The case follows a similar conviction in 2022 involving another Tongan religious figure, Pastor Siosateki Tonga Faletau, who was jailed for more than two years after being found guilty of indecently assaulting seven young girls over a period of nearly 20 years.