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 or Queen of Tuvalu, who is currently King Charles III.
The governor-general carries out the King's duties in Tuvalu. They usually follow the advice of the prime minister.
This important job was created on October 1, 1978. That's when Tuvalu became an independent country, no longer ruled by the United Kingdom. Since then, ten people have served as governor-general. The current one, since September 28, 2021, is Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani.
Contents
What is the Governor-General's Role?
Tuvalu has a parliamentary representative democracy. This means people vote for their leaders. The King acts on the advice of the government ministers in Tuvalu.
The Constitution of Tuvalu mentions the King in section 50. It says the King is a symbol of Tuvalu's unity and identity. The Constitution also explains the powers of the head of state.
How is the Governor-General Chosen?
Section 55 of the Constitution explains how the governor-general is chosen. The King's representative in Tuvalu is the governor-general. This 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 Tuvaluan prime minister suggests someone. The prime minister first talks with the members of Parliament.
Section 59(1) of the Constitution says the governor-general takes over the King's duties. This happens when the King is not in Tuvalu or cannot perform their role.
When Does the Office Become 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 resign. They do this by writing a letter to the speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu.
What Does the Governor-General Do?
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The governor-general has important duties under the Constitution. They can make decisions about the Parliament of Tuvalu. This includes calling Parliament to meet. They also appoint and dismiss the prime minister.
How Reserve Powers Are Used
In 2003, the High Court of Tuvalu explained how the governor-general could use their special powers. These are called "reserve powers." They can use these powers to act on their own judgment. This is different from acting on the advice of the cabinet. For example, the governor-general can decide if it's right to call Parliament.
A good example happened in 2013. The then Governor-General, Sir Iakoba Italeli, used his reserve powers. This was when Prime Minister Willy Telavi refused to call Parliament. A difficult situation, a constitutional crisis, started. Prime Minister Telavi said he only had to call Parliament once a year.
Tuvalu's opposition parties asked the governor-general to step in. On July 3, Sir 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 of no confidence. After more political events, Sir Italeli used his reserve powers again. He ordered Telavi to step down as prime minister. He then appointed Enele Sopoaga as the temporary prime minister.
The governor-general also ordered Parliament to meet on August 2. This was for a vote of no-confidence in Telavi. Telavi then wrote to Elizabeth II, the Queen of Tuvalu. He told her he was firing Sir Italeli. But the Queen did not react, so Sir Iakoba stayed in his job.
The difficult situation ended with a vote of no confidence on August 2, 2013. Eight members voted for the motion, four against, 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 have received a special honor called the Order of St Michael and St George. Faimalaga Luka was the only governor-general who chose not to receive a knighthood.
Where Does the Governor-General Live?
Government House in Funafuti is the official home of the governor-general of Tuvalu.
List of Governors-General
Here is a list of the people who have served as Governor-General of Tuvalu since the country became independent in 1978.
Ten people have held this position full-time. Three others have served temporarily when the position was empty. Teniku Talesi was the first woman to be appointed to the role. She served temporarily from August 2019 until January 2021. Then Samuelu Teo took over as acting governor-general.
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 (b. ?) Acting Governor-General |
January 2021 |
28 September 2021 |
8 months | |
| 10 | |
Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani (b. ?) |
28 September 2021 |
Incumbent | 3 years, 269 days | |
.jpg) Charles III (2022–present) |
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See also
- Prime Minister of Tuvalu
- Governor of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands
- Monarchy of Tuvalu
