Onehunga Shooting: Matthew Lemalu Admits Manslaughter of Gang Member Anthony Rangi

In a recent court hearing, Matthew Gregory Lemalu, 33, admitted to manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Anthony Edward Rangi, a member of the gang-affiliated group Mangu Kaha. This admission came in exchange for prosecutors dropping the more severe charge of murder. The incident, which took place on August 31 of last year in Onehunga, South Auckland, has now been brought into the public eye for the first time after Lemalu’s arraignment in the High Court in Auckland.

Justice Mathew Downs has scheduled a sentencing hearing for October, marking the next step in what has become a highly publicized legal case. The agreed summary of facts, shared in court, outlines the events leading up to the tragic shooting, though it does not clarify whether the two men had prior knowledge of each other.

According to the summary, Lemalu was inside his apartment when Rangi, who was described as acting “somewhat erratically,” parked nearby. Lemalu then yelled at Rangi from his upstairs window, urging him to leave. After Rangi failed to comply, Lemalu went downstairs and confronted him with a firearm at the front door. Rangi had been rummaging in his vehicle’s boot and was seen with a crowbar behind his back. Lemalu reportedly told Rangi to “f*** off” before shooting him once in the thigh, after Rangi raised his arms in the air.

The confrontation was partially captured on CCTV, and an associate of Rangi attempted to provide first aid, as did first responders. Despite these efforts, Rangi died at the scene. Lemalu fled the scene in a vehicle and was arrested the following day in Glen Eden, where he was charged with murder.

While both manslaughter and murder charges carry the possibility of a life sentence, the legal implications differ significantly. Murder charges almost always result in a life sentence, with the possibility of recall even after parole. Manslaughter, however, typically results in a lesser sentence, and in some cases, a defendant may be eligible for home detention.

Lemalu’s defense lawyer, Philip Hamlin, has not indicated what sentencing outcome he expects. Justice Downs has ordered Lemalu to return to jail to await sentencing. This case has sparked discussions around self-defense, gang-related violence, and the legal distinctions between murder and manslaughter.

As the legal process continues, the community is left grappling with the broader implications of the incident. It raises questions about the role of gang activity in public spaces, the effectiveness of law enforcement responses, and the balance between personal safety and the legal consequences of lethal force.