Key Takeaways
- The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) concluded that two specific uses of force against Faasala Matue were unreasonable and unjustified: an officer punched him in the head three times and employed the “fishhook” technique (fingers forced into the mouth to cause pain compliance).
- Officers also used highly inappropriate and unprofessional language during the arrest, including vulgar insults directed at Matue.
- Although police acknowledged the IPCA’s findings and described the conduct as “unacceptable and a departure from our values,” the officers involved remain employed by the New Zealand Police.
- Matue died after a volatile confrontation in which he threatened officers with a metal pole, bit an officer’s hand, and was subsequently tasered, pepper‑sprayed, and lost consciousness.
- The incident stemmed from a police pursuit of a vehicle linked to two aggravated robberies, culminating in the isolated Ōrere Point beach encounter.
Background of the Incident
On the day of the encounter, police were investigating a series of aggravated robberies that had occurred in Papakura. Surveillance and intelligence led officers to a vehicle suspected of being connected to those crimes. The vehicle was tracked to the remote Ōrere Point beach in Auckland, where Faasala Matue and another male were located. The beach’s isolation limited immediate backup options, increasing the pressure on the attending officers to resolve the situation quickly and safely. When officers approached, Matue displayed aggressive behavior, setting the stage for a rapidly escalating confrontation that would ultimately result in his death.
Details of the Arrest and Use of Force
Upon arrival, officers attempted to detain Matue, who resisted arrest vigorously. He threatened the officers with a metal pole and managed to bite one officer’s hand, actions that prompted the police to escalate their use of force. In response, officers deployed a taser and pepper spray to subdue him. Despite these measures, Matue remained combative, and officers resorted to physical control techniques. The sequence of force used—tasering, pepper spraying, and subsequent physical restraint—was documented in body‑worn camera footage that later formed the core evidence for the IPCA investigation.
IPCA Investigation Findings
The Independent Police Conduct Authority conducted a thorough review of the incident, examining video evidence, officer statements, and medical reports. While the IPCA acknowledged that officers faced a volatile and confronting situation, it identified specific actions that fell outside acceptable policing standards. The authority concluded that two instances of force were unreasonable and not justified: repeated punches to Matue’s head and the application of the “fishhook” technique. Additionally, the IPCA noted that officers’ verbal conduct during the arrest was inappropriate and unprofessional, contributing to a breakdown in procedural propriety.
Unreasonable Force: Punching and the “Fishhook” Technique
The first unreasonable act identified by the IPCA involved an officer striking Matue in the head three times with a closed fist. Such blows, especially to a restrained individual, pose a significant risk of traumatic brain injury and are deemed excessive when less harmful alternatives are available. The second unreasonable act was the use of the “fishhook” technique, wherein officers inserted their fingers into Matue’s mouth to induce pain compliance. This method is widely regarded as inhumane, carries a high risk of causing oral injury or aspiration, and is prohibited under New Zealand police use‑of‑force guidelines. Both actions were deemed unjustified given the circumstances and the availability of other control options.
Inappropriate and Unprofessional Language
Beyond physical force, the IPCA highlighted the officers’ verbal conduct as a serious breach of professional standards. In the recorded footage, one officer can be heard shouting, “You fat c [indecipherable] back in the water and just drown, you fing idiot,” directed at Matue. Such language not only degrades the individual’s dignity but also undermines public trust in law enforcement. The IPCA emphasized that officers must maintain respectful communication, even in high‑stress scenarios, and that the use of profanity and personal insults constitutes a clear violation of the New Zealand Police Code of Conduct.
Police Acknowledgment and Superintendent Gray’s Statement
Following the release of the IPCA report, Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Shanan Gray publicly acknowledged the findings. He described the officers’ language and the unjustified use of force as “unacceptable and a departure from our values.” Gray stressed that while the incident was tragic, the police service remains committed to accountability and continuous improvement. He also expressed sympathy for Matue’s family, noting that the outcome was distressing for all parties involved. Importantly, Gray clarified that he would not comment on any internal employment processes related to the officers.
Context of the Vehicle Link to Aggravated Robberies
The pursuit that led to the Ōrere Point encounter originated from intelligence linking a specific vehicle to two aggravated robberies in Papakura. Police had been monitoring the vehicle’s movements as part of an ongoing investigation into those crimes. When the vehicle was spotted near the isolated beach, officers initiated a stop to question the occupants. The connection to serious offending provided a contextual backdrop for the officers’ heightened alertness, though the IPCA ultimately determined that the response exceeded reasonable force thresholds despite the initial justification for the stop.
Officers’ Perspective on the Confrontation
Superintendent Gray recounted that officers described Matue as behaving aggressively while resisting arrest, threatening them with a metal pole and biting one officer’s finger. According to the officers’ accounts, they perceived an immediate threat to their safety, which prompted the escalation to taser, pepper spray, and physical control measures. Gray acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, praising the officers’ attempt to bring Matue under control while also recognizing that the subsequent actions crossed the line into unreasonableness. This dual perspective underscores the tension officers face between ensuring personal safety and adhering to use‑of‑force policies.
Medical Response and Outcome
After the confrontation, Matue lost consciousness. Officers administered first aid at the scene, but despite their efforts, he could not be revived. Emergency medical services arrived shortly thereafter, but Matue was pronounced dead. The combination of physical strikes, the fishhook technique, chemical agents, and the taser likely contributed to a cascade of physiological stressors that culminated in cardiac or respiratory failure. The tragic outcome prompted the IPCA to scrutinize not only the immediate use of force but also the adequacy of post‑incident medical care provided by the officers.
Implications, Employment Status, and Next Steps
Although the IPCA’s findings were critical, Superintendent Gray confirmed that all officers involved remain employed by the New Zealand Police. No immediate disciplinary actions, such as suspension or termination, were announced in the public statement. The police service indicated that internal processes would follow the IPCA’s recommendations, potentially including retraining, policy review, and procedural adjustments. The case serves as a salient reminder of the need for clear boundaries on force techniques, rigorous training on de‑escalation, and strict adherence to professional communication standards, especially in high‑stress, isolated environments where backup may be limited. Moving forward, the incident will likely inform updates to use‑of‑force guidelines and reinforce the importance of accountability mechanisms within policing.