A judge has issued an arrest warrant for Nofoala Sandy Lameko, a former X Factor New Zealand contestant, after he failed to appear in Auckland District Court for sentencing on family violence charges.
Lameko, 33, had requested to attend the hearing via audio-video link to continue touring the South Island and promoting his music. Judge Evangelos Thomas denied the request, and when Lameko did not appear, the judge dismissed a rescheduling plea, saying the court would be “an absolute laughing stock” if a warrant was not issued.
Court documents reveal Lameko assaulted his former partner on two occasions in 2023, with incidents involving physical violence, verbal abuse, and threats. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of assault by a male on a female, each carrying a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment.
Lameko, who rose to prominence in The X Factor NZ’s final season in 2015, has continued his music career. Recently, he joined the Raumati Marae Tour, a series of free shows celebrating Māori and Pasifika musicians, and has been open about attending anger management programs and overcoming challenges.
