• A warrant was issued for Nofoala Sandy Lameko after he missed sentencing for family violence charges.
• The former X Factor NZ contestant was touring the South Island and requested to attend via audio-video link, which was denied.
• He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by a male on a female earlier this year.

A judge has issued an arrest warrant for a former X Factor New Zealand contestant who was scheduled to appear in an Auckland courtroom today to be sentenced on family violence charges.

Nofoala Sandy Lameko, 33, had applied to attend the hearing via audio-video link so he could continue touring the South Island to promote his new music. That request was denied yesterday by Judge Evangelos Thomas.

When he didn’t show up today in Auckland District Court, defence lawyer Ruth Malolo asked for the hearing to be rescheduled. Her client had already flown to Christchurch - taking a gamble that the application would be successful - because he felt the employment opportunity was so important, she said.

“He does apologise to the court,” she said before the judge cut off her request, asking if she had any legal reason why he should not immediately issue a warrant.

Nofo Lameko. Photo / Supplied

She acknowledged she did not.

“He attacked his partner and was given a sentencing date, and made a decision to go on tour instead,” Judge Thomas said. “If I did not issue a warrant, the court would be ... an absolute laughing stock.”

Court documents obtained by the Herald state Lameko assaulted his then-partner of three years on two occasions, in February and in May last year.

The two were living together in Auckland Central during the first argument, which started over the defendant’s ex-girlfriend. Lameko hid her house keys, prompting her to call police about 11.45pm.

“While on the phone to police, Mr Lameko hit [her] and pushed her to the ground, causing her to hurt her back,” the agreed summary of facts states. “From around 11.45pm to 1am, Mr Lameko is overheard on the call threatening to hit [her] multiple times.”

An arrest warrant has been issued for former X Factor NZ contestant Nofoala Lameko after he failed to appear in court for sentencing, stating that he couldn't make it because he had to go on tour. Photo / Supplied

The two were no longer living together three months later when the second assault was sparked by the woman declining to join him at the table for dinner.

“As a result, using one hand, Mr Lameko forcefully grabbed [the victim] while forcing her to walk approximately four metres to the bedroom,” documents state.

“Once in the bedroom, Mr Lameko slammed [her] against the wall and proceeded to forcefully slam [her] head against the same wall. After slamming [her] head against the wall, Mr Lameko released his grip, causing her to fall to the ground.”

He then tried to grab her wrists, but she managed to push him away. But he stayed in the bedroom “for some time afterwards”, continuing to verbally abuse her until he eventually left, documents state.

Lameko spoke to police about both incidents but appeared to attempt to downplay their significance.

“In explaining the first incident, Mr Lameko stated that [the victim] was rarking him up,” the summary of facts states. “In explaining the second incident, Mr Lameko acknowledged that he had dragged [her] to the bedroom, however, commented that she had thrown herself into the wall and onto the floor.”

He pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of assault by a male on a female, both of which are punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment.

Lameko’s music career first received a boost in 2015, when he earned a spot among the top 12 during the second and final season of The X Factor NZ on TV3. The winner of the series was promised a recording contract with the New Zealand branch of Sony Music. Lameko missed a top-three placement.

“Homeless and slightly wounded by life, Lameko’s story is the series’ most compelling,” The Spinoff reported that year. “His voice has huge depth, too, but the judges seem curiously lukewarm on him, which may prove problematic.”

His music career continued after the show, including a five-song EP that was released earlier this month.

Former X Factor NZ contestant Nofoala Lameko. Photo / Supplied

Lameko announced on social media yesterday that he was joining the Raumati Marae Tour, advertised as a series of free family-friendly shows at marae across the South Island celebrating Māori and Pasifika musicians. The tour is scheduled for Oamaru tonight and Christchurch tomorrow.

Lameko has been upfront with his fans about some of his recent issues.

In September, while promoting the release of a new single, he showed fans on Instagram an anger management programme certificate of completion that he had earned the night before.

“If you haven’t already known, I’ve had the toughest year of my life this past year,” he said. “So I am just getting out of this rut that I’ve been in. I’m excited, I’m scared and nervous releasing these songs.”

A new sentencing date has not yet been set.

Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice. He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand.