Auckland Bus Driver Stood Down After Passenger's Death from Assault

An Auckland bus driver employed by Go Bus has been stood down after allegedly assaulting a passenger, Peter Te Kira, who later died from serious head injuries sustained at a Papatoetoe bus stop. The driver, Mikaele Ah Fook, has been charged with assault and is due to appear in court, with police indicating further charges may be possible as the investigation continues. Auckland Transport and Go Bus are cooperating fully with authorities and have expressed deep concern and sympathy for those affected by the incident. Police have clarified that the event was not random, as the two men had previous interactions, and support is being provided to the victim's family. The case has heightened concerns about passenger safety on Auckland's public transport system. The incident is being taken extremely seriously by all parties involved.