Next week, Tane (Ethan Browne) will go on the attack after learning that his cousin Kahu (Jordi Webber) has left town after being exposed as a liar.
Kahu had already demonstrated his dishonesty when he used money Tane had loaned him for a TAFE course and chose to send it to his mother in New Zealand instead.
The objective had been for Kahu to obtain his Personal Trainer certification in order to advance his career at the gym, but Tane quickly learned that Kahu had not registered at TAFE as she had indicated.
Tane, however, consented to allow Kahu to keep the cash as an investment for a fishing trawler company he planned to launch; the cash would be used to register the company and submit applications for necessary permissions.
Tane was infuriated to discover that he had been conned once more when an online search revealed that Kahu had not registered his firm as promised. Tane’s suspicions intensified as Kahu brazenly began snooping around other Summer Bay residents for money.
Kahu was forced into revealing that he had transferred the money to his mother under the pretence that it was the proceeds from his boat after Tane got in touch with her and learned that he was reportedly working on a fishing trawler.
Kahu acknowledged that his mother had given him a $50,000 loan to purchase the trawler, but due to bad luck and the boat’s expensive maintenance costs, it is currently docked in a harbour. He has been in a never-ending cycle of borrowing money while maintaining his looks because he has been afraid to tell his mother the truth for fear that she would think he is a failure.
Tane advised Kahu that this was the right time to tell his mother the truth, and he gave him some time to call and break the awful news. However, Kahu instead packed his bags and left Summer Bay.
The next week, Tane is feeling confident that he may have finally reached Kahu—until the morning Kahu doesn’t show up for work. Tane quickly realises that his cousin has fled when his stuff vanish and that he has abandoned them.
Tane laments to Felicity (Jacqui Purvis), “Running from his responsibilities as usual.” “I can’t believe I relied on him once more!”
Tane phones his aunt, who confirms that she hasn’t heard from Kahu and that he is still on his trawler. Tane is still blissfully oblivious of his aunt’s betrayal.
Tane gets a final sting in the tail when he subsequently gets a call from the bank after already deciding that he’s done with Kahu. A questionable houseboat rental purchase was made on the gym’s credit card. What a waste of whanau loyalty!
Flick sighs, “I guess that explains where Kahu is.” “What’s next?”
“Now…” Tane answers. “I go and get him.”
Kahu is living the dream as he plays his guitar while moored up off a remote beach some distance from Summer Bay.
However, the sound of an approaching speedboat quickly disturbs the tranquilly. Tane’s here! Uh-oh!
Kahu, with some amazing audacity, inquires as to Tane’s purpose in that location.
Tane drives up besides and says coldly, “I could ask you the same thing.”
Tane is insisting on answers regarding the credit card theft, and Kahu says he can explain, but he rapidly knows there is no getting out of it. Instead, he merely hands Tane the credit card and orders him to leave his yacht, appearing unrepentant.
Tane points out that since he paid for it, the boat belongs to him and he isn’t leaving.
Tane’s words were clearly intended, but Kahu pouts for a time within.
Given that the speedboat has long since left the dock, it’s unclear exactly where Kahu is hoping Tane will vanish to, but ultimately Tane returns to the deck and confronts his cousin.
Kahu is once more pressured by Tane to give an explanation, and if he refuses, Tane threatens to tell his mother!
Kahu explains to Tane that his mother had remortgaged her home and spent all of her savings, so it wasn’t just a case of her loan him $50,000. She invested everything she had in her hope that he would succeed, but an embarrassed Kahu has managed to waste it all.
Kahu begs Tane once more not to tell his mother since she will be devastated, despite Tane’s reminder that he owes her the truth. But Tane won’t take no for an answer; it’s past time Kahu accepted accountability for his deeds!
Kahu finally changes his mind the following morning after Tane threatens to file a credit card theft report against him if he doesn’t admit his guilt and start making payments on his obligations.
The only catch is that Kahu believes he must speak to his mother in person. Tane anticipates Kahu’s plea for money to buy a plane ticket because he is fully aware of where this is leading. What a surprise!
Tane concurs but can’t help but harbour some scepticism. Why should Kahu think he’ll act as he claims now since he hasn’t shown any cause to trust him thus far?
The best course of action is then suggested by Tane: he should travel to New Zealand with him. Aside from the obvious, Tane is aware that Kahu might use some assistance.
Will Kahu eventually face the consequences as the two take off to cross the ditch?
