Auckland 12pm: The troublesome American cult that locals on Niue have been trying to get rid of have flown off in a private jet.
Immigration and Finance Minister, Fisa Pihigia, told Pacific Radio News a short time ago that the private jet did arrive, as expected, to wing the two families off.
They were tipped to leave today but cycnics, well aware of the difficulties Pihigia have had in moving them off, doubted it would happen.
But Pihigia confirmed that the members of the Maha Devi Ascencion Group have now vacated Matavai Resort and the island. (listen)
The group arrived on The Rock more than a year ago saying they wanted to buy Matavai Resort and build top notch spa resorts.
But they soon ran foul of locals after taking block bookings for accomodation, supposedly for conferences and meets, and failing to front.
They continued to run up more debt .... all the while staying hidden in their hotel room.
Even Pihigia, whose been trying to get rid of them for ages, never saw them in real life, just their visa photos.
He told us a private plane flew into Alofi's Hanan Airport last night to fly the group out.
