Governor-General of Tuvalu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor-General of Tuvalu |
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Flag of the governor-general
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Coat of arms of Tuvalu
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 Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani since 28 September 2021 |
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| Viceroy | |
| Style | His Excellency |
| Residence | Government House, Funafuti |
| Appointer | Monarch of Tuvalu
on the advice of the prime minister
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| Term length | 4 years |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Tuvalu |
| Formation | 1 October 1978 |
| First holder | Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo |
| Salary | AU$ 45,262 / US$ 29,760 annually |
The Governor-General of Tuvalu is a very important person in the country of Tuvalu. They represent the King of Tuvalu, who is currently King Charles III.
The Governor-General carries out the King's duties in Tuvalu. They usually act on the advice of the Prime Minister. This means they follow the government's suggestions.
This important job was created on October 1, 1978. This was when Tuvalu became an independent country, no longer ruled by the United Kingdom. Since then, ten people have served as Governor-General. The person holding the job right now is Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani. He started on September 28, 2021.
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What the Governor-General Does
The Governor-General has several important roles. They make sure the government follows the rules set out in Tuvalu's Constitution. They also have special powers to act in certain situations.
How the Governor-General is Chosen
Tuvalu has a parliamentary system. This means the King acts on the advice of his government ministers in Tuvalu. The King is a symbol of Tuvalu's unity and identity.
The King's representative in Tuvalu is the Governor-General. To be Governor-General, a person must be at least 50 years old. They also need to be able to be elected as a member of parliament.
The King appoints the Governor-General for a four-year term. This appointment happens after the Prime Minister talks with the members of Parliament.
If the King is not in Tuvalu or cannot do his duties, the Governor-General takes over. This is stated in section 59(1) of the Constitution.
When the Job Becomes Empty
The King can remove the Governor-General from office. This happens if the Prime Minister advises it, after talking with Parliament.
The job also becomes empty if the Governor-General no longer meets the requirements to be a member of parliament. A Governor-General can also choose to resign. They do this by writing a letter to the Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu.
Important Powers of the Governor-General
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The Governor-General has special powers. These powers include calling the Parliament of Tuvalu to meet. They also include appointing and removing the Prime Minister. These are called "reserve powers."
Using Special Powers in a Crisis
In 2003, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Tuvalu explained how the Governor-General could use their special powers. This means they can act on their own judgment, not just on the advice of the government. This is important for calling Parliament.
A good example happened in 2013. The Prime Minister at the time, Willy Telavi, refused to call Parliament to meet. This caused a crisis. The opposition asked the Governor-General, Sir Iakoba Italeli, to step in.
On July 3, Governor-General Italeli used his special powers. He ordered Parliament to meet on July 30, even though the Prime Minister did not want it.
When Parliament met, the Speaker did not allow a vote to remove the Prime Minister. After more political events, Governor-General Italeli again used his special powers. He ordered Prime Minister Telavi to step down. He then appointed Enele Sopoaga as the temporary Prime Minister.
The Governor-General also ordered Parliament to meet again on August 2. This was for a vote to remove Telavi and his government. Telavi then tried to dismiss Governor-General Italeli by writing to Elizabeth II, the Queen of Tuvalu. However, the Queen did not act, so Sir Iakoba remained in his job.
The crisis ended on August 2, 2013. A vote was held, and eight members voted to remove Willy Telavi's government. Four voted against it, and one did not vote. On August 4, Parliament elected Enele Sopoaga as the new Prime Minister.
Symbols and Special Honors
The Governor-General has a special flag. It shows a lion and a royal crown on a blue background. The word "Tuvalu" is written below. This flag is flown on buildings to show when the Governor-General is present.
Most Governors-General receive a special award called the Order of St Michael and St George. This award often comes with the title "Sir." However, Faimalaga Luka chose not to accept this honor.
Official Home
The official home of the Governor-General of Tuvalu is called Government House. It is located in Funafuti, the capital of Tuvalu.
List of Governors-General
Here is a list of the people who have served as Governor-General of Tuvalu since 1978.
Ten people have held the position permanently. Three others have held it temporarily when the job was empty. Teniku Talesi was the first woman to be an Acting Governor-General. She served from August 2019 until January 2021.
Denotes Acting Governors-General
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Monarch (Reign) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||
| 1 |  |
Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo (1911–1998) |
1 October 1978 |
1 March 1986 |
7 years, 151 days | .jpg) Elizabeth II (1978–2022) |
| 2 | |
Sir Tupua Leupena (1922–1996) |
1 March 1986 |
1 October 1990 |
4 years, 214 days | |
| 3 | |
Sir Toaripi Lauti (1928–2014) |
1 October 1990 |
1 December 1993 |
3 years, 61 days | |
| 4 | |
Sir Tomu Sione (1941–2016) |
1 December 1993 |
21 June 1994 |
202 days | |
| 5 | |
Sir Tulaga Manuella (born 1936) |
21 June 1994 |
26 June 1998 |
4 years, 5 days | |
| 6 | |
Sir Tomasi Puapua (born 1938) |
26 June 1998 |
9 September 2003 |
5 years, 75 days | |
| 7 |  |
Faimalaga Luka (1940–2005) |
9 September 2003 |
15 April 2005 |
1 year, 218 days | |
| 8 |  |
Sir Filoimea Telito (1945–2011) |
15 April 2005 |
19 March 2010 |
4 years, 338 days | |
| – | .jpg) |
Sir Kamuta Latasi (born 1936) Acting Governor-General |
19 March 2010 |
16 April 2010 |
28 days | |
| 9 |  |
Sir Iakoba Italeli (b. ?) |
16 April 2010 |
22 August 2019 |
9 years, 128 days | |
| – |  |
Teniku Talesi (b. ?) Acting Governor-General |
22 August 2019 |
January 2021 |
1 year, 4 months | |
| – | .jpg) |
Samuelu Teo (1957–2024) Acting Governor-General |
January 2021 |
28 September 2021 |
8 months | |
| 10 | |
Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani (b. ?) |
28 September 2021 |
Incumbent | 3 years, 330 days | |
.jpg) Charles III (2022–present) |
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See also
In Spanish: Gobernador general de Tuvalu para niños
- Prime Minister of Tuvalu
- Governor of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands
- Monarchy of Tuvalu
