Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang
Hang in 2019
Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure
In office 18 March 2016 – 24 May 2021
Prime Minister	Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Preceded by	Manu'alesagalala Enokati Posala
Succeeded by	Olo Fiti Vaai
Minister of Finance
In office 24 April 2006 – 21 March 2011
Preceded by	Misa Telefoni Retzlaff
Succeeded by	Faumuina Tiatia Liuga
Member of the Samoa Parliament for Vaimauga No. 3
In office 9 April 2021 – 29 November 2022
Preceded by	none (constituency created)
Succeeded by	TBA
Member of the Samoa Parliament for Urban East
In office 4 March 2016 – 9 April 2021
Preceded by	none (constituency created)
Member of the Samoa Parliament for Individual Voters
In office 18 December 2001 – 4 March 2016
Preceded by	Chan Chui Van Sung
Succeeded by	none (constituency abolished)
Personal details
Born	1953/1954
Died	29 November 2022 (aged 68) Motoʻotua, Samoa
Political party	Human Rights Protection Party

Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang (born 1953/1954 – died 29 November 2022) was an important politician in Samoa. He served as a Cabinet Minister, which means he was in charge of different government departments. He was a member of the Human Rights Protection Party.

Early Life and Education

Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang was an accountant by job. Before becoming a politician, he worked as a Public Trustee. This role involves managing money and property for others. He studied at Waikato University in New Zealand. He also went to the University of New England in Australia.

Journey into Politics

Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang first joined the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in December 2001. He was elected in a special election called a by-election. He represented a group of people known as "Individual Voters."

In January 2002, he became a Parliamentary Under Secretary. This role helps a minister with their duties. He first worked under the Minister of Justice. Later, in 2004, he became the Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Minister of Revenue.

Becoming a Minister

Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang was re-elected in the 2006 election. After this, he was given a big job: Minister of Finance. This meant he was in charge of Samoa's money and economy.

He was elected again in the 2011 election. However, he was no longer the Minister of Finance. For a few years, he worked as a "backbencher." This means he was a regular Member of Parliament without a special ministerial role.

Return to Cabinet

After the 2016 election, Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang was appointed to the Cabinet again. He became the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure. In this role, he oversaw projects related to roads, transportation, and buildings in Samoa.

In the 2021 Samoan general election, his old voting area was changed. He then ran for the new area called Vaimauga No. 3 and was elected again.

Later Life and Passing

Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang passed away on 29 November 2022. He was 68 years old. He died at Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital in Motoʻotua, Samoa.