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Dalton Tagelagi
Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi on 25 September 2023 - 53214108645 (cropped).jpg
Tagelagi in 2023
Prime Minister of Niue
Assumed office
11 June 2020
Governor-General Patsy Reddy
Cindy Kiro
Preceded by Toke Talagi
Minister for Natural Resources
In office
May 2017 – June 2020
Premier Toke Talagi
Preceded by Billy Talagi
Member of the Niue Assembly from Alofi South
Assumed office
May 2008
Personal details
Born
Dalton Emani Makamau Tagelagi

(1968-06-05) 5 June 1968 (age 57)
Alofi, Niue
Political party Independent
Occupation Bowler
Politician

Dalton Emani Makamau Tagelagi (born 5 June 1968) is a leader from Niue, a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean. He has been the Prime Minister of Niue (also called the Premier) since June 2020. He was chosen for this important role by the Niue Legislative Assembly, which is like Niue's parliament.

Dalton Tagelagi's father, Sam Pata Emani Tagelagi, was also a well-known figure in Niuean politics. He served as the Speaker of the Niue Legislative Assembly for many years.

Sports Career: Bowls

Before becoming a top politician, Dalton Tagelagi was also a talented athlete. He played bowls, a sport similar to bocce or curling, where players roll balls as close as possible to a target ball.

Representing Niue in Bowls

He has proudly represented Niue in bowls at several big international sports events:

Political Career: Leading Niue

Dalton Tagelagi began his journey in politics by being elected to the Niue Assembly in 2008. The Assembly is where laws are made for Niue.

Dean Rex, Dalton Tagelagi, Cindy Kiro, Richard Davies 2022
Dalton Tagelagi with Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Cindy Kiro, in 2022

Early Roles in Government

After the 2014 election, he was given the job of Minister of Infrastructure. This meant he was in charge of things like roads and buildings. In 2017, he was re-elected and became the Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. This was a very important role, as it covered many parts of Niue's natural world and how people use it.

Fighting Climate Change

As Environment Minister, he went to the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference. At this big meeting, he asked richer countries to do more to help stop climate change, which is a major concern for small island nations like Niue.

Becoming Premier

In 2020, Dalton Tagelagi was re-elected to the Assembly. Soon after, he was chosen to be the Premier of Niue. His first goal as Premier was to look closely at the government's money.

Important Decisions and Achievements

  • Trade Agreement: His government approved the PACER Plus regional trade agreement, which helps Niue trade with other countries in the Pacific.
  • COVID-19 Response: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked to create a special travel arrangement with New Zealand. This allowed Niueans to travel safely. He also led a successful vaccination program that helped Niue achieve "herd immunity," meaning most people were protected from the virus.
  • University Leadership: From November 2021 to June 2022, he was the Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, a big university for students from many Pacific islands.

Re-election and New Cabinet

In the 2023 election, he was re-elected to the Assembly without anyone running against him. He was then chosen again as Premier. On 12 May 2023, he formed his new Cabinet, which was special because it was the first time Niue had an equal number of men and women in its top government positions.

Images for kids

See also

In Spanish: Dalton Tagelagi para niños

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