Tonga's Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Soakai Motu'apuaka said this morning that the body of Kali Fungavaka had been released to his family and taken to the Fua'amotu International Airport for return to New Zealand today.

It is understood that that Kali will go by Air New Zealand arriving in Auckland at 1:30pm today, Saturday August 25.

Kali Fungavaka a New Zealand police officer died on Thursday August 23 after receiving fatal injuries while being held in police custoday on the night of August 17.

Rosemary Fungavaka, his mother, said yesterday that the family who came from South Auckland, were waiting for the release of Kali's body after an autopsy had been performed, and that they intended to return to New Zealand with him. She said they would not be able to make arrangements for his funeral until they got home.