BLENHEIM – A vineyard worker in New Zealand died after he suffered a cardiac arrest at the backpackers hostel where he had been living.
Tierata Nawaia, 45, from Kiribati collapsed at Honi-B backpackers in Blenheim on Monday.
The father of five came to Blenheim to work on the recognised seasonal employer (RSE) scheme in November and was an employee of Provine.
St John Marlborough territory manager Murray Neal said Mr Nawaia had suffered a cardiac arrest. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but he died at the scene.
Honi-B owner Karl Slape said Mr Nawaia had been brought back to the hostel early about 12.30pm by his supervisor after complaining of a headache.
“I spoke to him and he appeared he had the symptoms of the common flu. I told him to get plenty of fluids and get his head down,” Mr Slape said.
Mr Nawaia collapsed in a corridor near his bedroom just before 3.30pm.
“He was a pleasant, well spoken gentleman. He came with a group of boys from Kiribati and they all got on very well together.”
