Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa Facts for Kids

Other offices held


Minister for Public Enterprises
In office 10 October 2019 – 28 December 2021
Prime Minister	Himself
Succeeded by	Poasi Tei
Minister of Finance
In office 4 January 2018 – 10 October 2019
Prime Minister	ʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Preceded by	Tevita Lavemaau
Succeeded by	Tevita Lavemaau
Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries
In office 30 December 2014 – 4 January 2018
Succeeded by	Tevita Tu'i Uata
Minister for Revenue and Customs
In office 6 March 2017 – September 2017
Preceded by	Tevita Lavemaau
Succeeded by	Mateni Tapueluelu
Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services
In office 30 December 2014 – 6 March 2017
Succeeded by	Mateni Tapueluelu

Member of the Tongan Parliament
for Tongatapu 10

In office
27 November 2014 – 19 March 2023

Preceded by

Semisi Tapueluelu

Personal details

Born

30 June 1951
Talafo’ou, Tonga

Died

19 March 2023 (aged 71)
United States

Nationality

Tongan citizenship

Political party

Tonga People's Party

Spouse

Hena Tuʻiʻonetoa

Alma mater

Monash University
Institute of Certified Management Accountants

Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa (born June 30, 1951 – died March 19, 2023) was an important Tongan politician and accountant. He served as the 17th Prime Minister of Tonga from 2019 to 2021. He took over from Semisi Sika, who was acting prime minister after the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva.

About Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa
- His Early Life and Learning
- His Life and Passing
His Career in Public Service
Honours
See also

About Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa

Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa was a well-known figure in Tonga. He held many important roles in the government throughout his career.

His Early Life and Learning

Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa was born in Talafo’ou, Tonga, on June 30, 1951. He studied hard and became an expert in accounting. In 1982, he graduated from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand. Later, in 1993, he earned a master's degree in business from Monash University. He also had a diploma in financial management. These studies helped him become a certified management accountant.

His Life and Passing

Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa passed away in March 2023. He was 71 years old at the time of his death.

His Career in Public Service

Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa dedicated many years to serving the people of Tonga. He worked in various government departments and held several ministerial positions before becoming prime minister.

Starting in Government

He began his career in the Tonga Civil Service in January 1979. For a long time, from 1983 to 2014, he worked as Tonga's Auditor. This meant he checked the government's financial records. He also served as a Private Secretary to King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV from 1987 to 1988. During this time, he was also a clerk for the Privy Council of Tonga, which advises the King. He first tried to become a member of parliament in the 2010 Tongan general election, but he was not elected that time.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In the 2014 Tongan general election, he was successfully elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. He represented the area of Tongatapu 10. In the government led by ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, he became the Minister of Labor, Commerce and Industries. He was also the Minister of Police, Prisons and Fire Services. In March 2017, he took on a new role as Minister of Revenue and Customs. He held this position until January 2018, when he was appointed Minister of Finance and National Planning.

Serving as Prime Minister

On September 27, 2019, Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa was chosen as the new Prime Minister by the parliament. He won with fifteen votes, while Semisi Sika received eight votes. King Tupou VI officially announced his appointment on October 9, 2019. The next day, on October 10, he announced the members of his Cabinet, who would help him lead the country.

In January 2021, Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa faced a vote of confidence in Parliament. This means that members of parliament voted on whether they still supported him as prime minister. He survived the vote with 13 votes in his favor and 9 against him.

He was re-elected to parliament in the 2021 Tongan general election. He initially planned to run for Prime Minister again but later decided to support another candidate, ʻAisake Eke. Siaosi Sovaleni then became the new Prime Minister.

In April 2022, a court in Tonga said his election might not have been fair. However, this decision was later overturned by the Court of Appeal in August 2022.

Honours

Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa received a special honor for his service to Tonga.

National honours;

The Most Illustrious Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Commander (31 July 2008)

Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa facts for kids

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