Man died of methamphetamine overdose while in police custody, watchdog finds

The police watchdog has found that a man died of a methamphetamine overdose - and not by police using tasers, pepper spray or a police dog.

Police arrested Fa'asla Sam Matue after an aggravated robbery at Auckland's Ōrere Point, east of Kawakawa Point, in March 2025.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority determined Matue threatened the officers with a metal pole.

Police officers used tasers, pepper spray and a police dog, as well as what the authority calls "manual force".

The IPCA found the force was justified.

However, the report found the use of language by the officers was "unprofessional" and "extremely disapointing".

The report found one of the officers was heard in Taser footage saying: "F***en give me a reason c***, I f***en dare you. Give me a f***en good reason. You're f***en lucky Eagle is above, you piece of s*** (pause). You're f***en lucky."

Another officer was recorded saying: "You fat c*** (indecipherable) ... back in the water and just drown you, you f***en idiot."

The authority also found three punches to Matue's head by one of the officers "as hard as he could" was unjustified.

When Matue became unresponsive, a tube was inserted in his nose to let him breathe but he could not be revived.

A post mortem exam found his death was caused by swallowing a large amount of methamphetamine and had MDMA, cannabis and alcohol in his bloodstream.

Counties Manukau District Commander, Superintendent Shanan Gray, said an officer was bitten as they tried to arrest Matue.

"Police acknowledge the authority's findings which determined that all but two instances of force used by police were justified."

He said it was a tragic outcome for everyone and his thoughts were with the Matue family.

"I would like to acknowledge our staff who were dealing with an extremely volatile and confronting incident at the time."