Toaripi Lauti facts for kids

Sir Toaripi Lauti (born November 28, 1928 – died May 25, 2014) was a very important politician from Tuvalu. He helped lead Tuvalu for many years. He was the Chief Minister when Tuvalu was still a colony. After Tuvalu became independent, he became its first Prime Minister. Later, he also served as the Governor-General of Tuvalu. He was married to Sualua Tui.

Early Life and Education

Toaripi Lauti was born in a village called Toaripi in what is now Papua New Guinea. His father, Lauti Kae, was a pastor from Funafuti, Tuvalu.

Schooling in the Pacific and New Zealand

Toaripi Lauti went to primary school at Elisefou in Vaitupu, Tuvalu, from 1938 to 1944. In 1945, he traveled to Fiji to study at Londoni Provincial School. The next year, he attended Queen Victoria School in Fiji. In 1947, he moved to Auckland, New Zealand, to study at Wesley College. He finished his schooling at St Andrews College in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1948.

Teacher Training

After finishing high school, he went to Teachers' Training College in Christchurch from 1952 to 1953. During this time, he also worked as a House Master at St Andrew's College.

Career Before Independence

Toaripi Lauti started his career as a teacher. From 1954 to 1962, he taught at King George V Secondary School in Tarawa.

Working in Nauru

Later, from 1962 to 1974, he worked for the British Phosphate Commissioners in Nauru. He was an industrial relations officer, which means he helped manage relationships between workers and the company.

Entering Politics

In 1974, Toaripi Lauti decided to enter politics. He was elected as a member of the House of Assembly for the area of Funafuti. He became the leader of the group that opposed the government.

Chief Minister of Tuvalu

From October 2, 1975, to October 1, 1978, he served as the first chief minister of the Colony of Tuvalu. This was before Tuvalu became a fully independent country.

Prime Minister of Independent Tuvalu

When Tuvalu gained its independence in 1978, Toaripi Lauti was chosen to be its very first prime minister. This was a very important role for the new nation.

Minister of Finance

He also held the position of minister of finance from 1977 to 1981. This meant he was in charge of the country's money and economy. In 1979, he was also made a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of important advisors to the British monarch.

Challenges and New Leadership

The first elections after Tuvalu's independence were held on September 8, 1981. During this time, there was some discussion about an investment made by Toaripi Lauti's government. The government had invested money with a salesperson who promised high returns. This investment turned out to be a fraud. Even though the money was later recovered by agencies in the United States, this situation caused people to lose trust in his decisions. Because of this, Dr. Tomasi Puapua was elected as the new prime minister. He won with a majority of 7 votes to 5.

Other Roles

Besides his national roles, Toaripi Lauti also served as the President of the Funafuti Town Council. He was also a member of the Tuvalu Language Board, which helps preserve and develop the Tuvaluan language.

Governor-General of Tuvalu

Toaripi Lauti's reputation was restored over time. From October 1, 1990, to December 1, 1993, he served as the Governor-General of Tuvalu. In this role, he represented Elizabeth II, the Queen of Tuvalu, as the head of state. In 1990, he received a special honor, becoming a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).

See also

• In Spanish: Toaripi Lauti para niños