Vaisala Family gets early Christmas gift

24 November 2025 – Alaelua Taufesala’s family at Vaisala on the north western coast of Savaii Island have the most fitting Christmas Gift when they were handed a brand new 2025 Land Cruiser last Friday.

The vehicle, the latest model, is the winning prize of a raffle that raised funds for a group Saili le Amiotonu to pay their legal costs in an ongoing court case.

Auelua Taufesala’s son, Faiaoga Auelua, who lives in Papatoetoe, New Zealand paid for the winning ticket. He wrote his 9-year-old son’s name “Netana Tautuhi” on the ticket.

Faiaoga Auelua and son Netana Tautuhi of Papatoetoe, New Zealand showing the winning ticket.

Faiaoga Auelua decided to give the vehicle as a gift for his parents, Alaelua and Ailini Taufesala who reside in Vaisala, Savaii. The raffle was drawn on 31 October and the prize was presented last Friday morning after all the confirmations and documentations were completed.

The raffle second prize, a Hyundai 2024 SUV was won by a raffle ticket holder, DJ of Hawaii and the third prize of $30,000 tala went to ticket holder, Faanunu Fela’ua’i of Mangere, New Zealand.

Alaelua with his daughter Komiti Auelua with members of their family and raffle chairperson, Fepuleai Faimata Su’a.