A former Tongan rugby player facing serious sexual charges in New Zealand has lost interim name suppression, allowing his identity to be made public.
Taumuʻa Lui Naeata, 32, is charged with six counts of sexual violation, including one charge of rape and five charges of unlawful sexual connection.
The alleged offending is reported to have occurred on December 8, 2024, in Dunedin.
All six charges relate to a single complainant, according to Stuff. Naeata has entered not guilty pleas to each of the charges.
Naeata had previously been granted interim name suppression, but that suppression has now lapsed.
The former professional rugby player spent six years playing club rugby in Japan before returning to New Zealand.
Ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby season, Stuff described Naeata as a “wildcard selection,” noting his size and overseas experience.
Weighing approximately 118 kilograms, the loose forward made three appearances off the bench for Otago during the 2024 National Provincial Championship (NPC) season.
The case remains before the courts.
