Police to question Alfred Ngaro's family further following brawl in Cook Islands

Former National MP Alfred Ngaro is dealing with police after a family disagreement turned physical next to his mother’s coffin.

Ngaro’s family is in Aitutaki after the death of his mother, Toko Kirianu, who died at an Auckland rest home on Christmas Day.

A video posted to social media shows a shoving match between two women while the matriarch’s coffin is being carried into the house.

The ensuing altercation happens off camera, but Ngaro is heard being called on to intervene before slapping sounds emerge, along with raised voices.

Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, Ngaro insists he did not strike his sister.

He called the matter a "dreadful situation", and sympathises for his grieving father, who also had to witness the fight.

A Cook Islands police spokesperson told the NZ Herald five people will be re-interviewed by police after today's funeral, while the alleged victim wants charges laid.

The five people allegedly involved are understood to be Ngaro, his wife, his brother and son, and another family member.

Ngaro was New Zealand’s first MP of Cook Island heritage but left parliament after nine years in late 2020. He made an unsuccessful attempt to re-enter politics in the last election as leader of the NewZeal party.

Ngaro paid tribute to his late mother in a social media post.

“A beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunty, sister and cherished friend to many. Her life was a testament to her resilience, love and unwavering dedication to those she loved and all she encountered.”

Pacific Media Network has approached Ngaro and the alleged victim’s family for further comment.