Josh Liavaa Explained

Josh Liava'a
Fullname:Tu'iono Siosiua Liava'a
Birth Date:10 May 1948
Birth Place:Tonga
Death Place:Kahaluu, Hawaii, United States of America
Club1:Northcote Tigers
Teama:Auckland
Teamb:New Zealand
Yearbstart:1975
Appearancesb:0
Triesb:0
Goalsb:0
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:0
Teamc:New Zealand Māori
Yearcstart:1977
Source:[1]
New:yes

Tu'iono Siosiua "Josh" Liava'a (10 May 1948 – 13 July 2014)[2] was a Tongan-born rugby league player who represented New Zealand in the 1975 World Cup, known for his relationships with Tongan royal family members.

Playing career

A Northcote Tigers player in the Auckland Rugby League competition, Liava'a played for Auckland and in 1975 was picked in the New Zealand national rugby league team for the 1975 World Cup.[3]

In 1977 Liava'a played for New Zealand Māori in the Pacific Cup.[4]

Personal life

Liava'a was a member of the New Zealand Police. He was a detective and later a uniform branch sergeant. He completed a Diploma in Criminology at Auckland University. During the early 1980's, he and fellow police officer; inspector Ross Meurant, established a private security company they registered in their wives'names, to avoid being "Court Martialed" for conflicts of interest. Maiden Security operated for 5 years until Meurant entered parliament as an MP in 1987.

After leaving the police, Liava'a ran a nightclub in Sydney.[5]

Liava'a was married several times, including to:

In the 1980s Liava'a reportedly had an affair with Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV's only daughter, Princess Pilolevu Tuita.[7]

He died from a gunshot in Hawaii on 13 July 2014.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  2. News: Tu'iono Siosiua Liava'a obituary. New Zealand Herald. 25 July 2014. 25 July 2014.
  3. http://www.aucklandleague.co.nz/display_page.asp?item=373 Northcote and Birkenhead Tigers Rugby League and Sports Club Inc Historical Information
  4. Book: Coffey. John. Wood. Bernie. 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. 2008. 198–201. 978-1-86969-331-2. .
  5. News: Retribution lingers after forbidden royal romance. 20 November 2000. The New Zealand Herald. 8 October 2011.
  6. News: Tonga a troubled kingdom. 19 January 2002. The New Zealand Herald. 8 October 2011.
  7. http://pidp.org/archive/2001/November/11-21-02.htm "TONGA’S PRINCESS PILOLEVU SPEAKS OF LOVE LETTERS AND BUSINESS"
  8. http://www.nzkanivapacific.co.nz/2014/07/joshua-tuiono-liavaa-dies-following-shooting-incident/#.U8WF2fmSxMg "Joshua Tu’iono Liava’a dies following shooting incident"