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Governor-General of Tuvalu
Flag of the Governor-General of Tuvalu.svg
Flag of the governor-general
Coat of arms of Tuvalu.svg
Coat of arms of Tuvalu
Tofiga Vaevalu Falani 2021.jpg
Incumbent
Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani

since 28 September 2021
Viceroy
Style His Excellency
Residence Government House, Funafuti
Appointer Monarch of Tuvalu
on the advice of the prime minister
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.

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

11.01 總統抵達抵達吐瓦,總督伊塔雷理(Iakoba Taeia Italeli)陪同蔡總統接受警察儀隊致敬 (24241833788)
Governor-General Sir Iakoba Italeli with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan in Tuvalu, 2017
Judith Cefkin and Iakoba Italeli May 2015
US ambassador to Tuvalu Judith Cefkin with Governor-General Sir Iakoba Italeli after presenting her letters of credence, 2015

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

Flag of the Governor-General of Tuvalu
Flag of the Governor-General of Tuvalu

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)
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo
(1911–1998)
1 October
1978
1 March
1986
7 years, 151 days Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1959).jpg
Elizabeth II
(1978–2022)
2 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Tupua Leupena
(1922–1996)
1 March
1986
1 October
1990
4 years, 214 days
3 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Toaripi Lauti
(1928–2014)
1 October
1990
1 December
1993
3 years, 61 days
4 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Tomu Sione
(1941–2016)
1 December
1993
21 June
1994
202 days
5 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Tulaga Manuella
(born 1936)
21 June
1994
26 June
1998
4 years, 5 days
6 Insigne Tuvalum.svg Sir Tomasi Puapua
(born 1938)
26 June
1998
9 September
2003
5 years, 75 days
7 Faimalaga Luka 2003.jpg Faimalaga Luka
(1940–2005)
9 September
2003
15 April
2005
1 year, 218 days
8 Filoimea Telito 2006.jpg Sir Filoimea Telito
(1945–2011)
15 April
2005
19 March
2010
4 years, 338 days
Rt Hon Sir Kamuta Latasi (cropped).jpg Sir Kamuta Latasi
(born 1936)
Acting Governor-General
19 March
2010
16 April
2010
28 days
9 Iakoba Italeli May 2015.jpg Sir Iakoba Italeli
(b. ?)
16 April
2010
22 August
2019
9 years, 128 days
Teniku Talesi.jpg Teniku Talesi
(b. ?)
Acting Governor-General
22 August
2019
January
2021
1 year, 4 months
Tuvalu MP Samuelu Penitala Teo speaking at the 144th IPU Assembly on March 2022 (cropped).jpg Samuelu Teo
(1957–2024)
Acting Governor-General
January
2021
28 September
2021
8 months
10 Tofiga Vaevalu Falani 2021.jpg Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani
(b. ?)
28 September
2021
Incumbent 3 years, 309 days
King Charles III (July 2023).jpg
Charles III
(2022–present)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gobernador general de Tuvalu para niños

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