Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi
Tongan politician and noble (1955–2021)
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'Siosaʻia Lausiʻi, Lord Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi,[1] also known as Lord Maʻafu (of Vaini and Tokomololo) (1 July 1955[2] – 12 December 2021),[3] was a Tongan politician, military officer, and member of the Tongan nobility.
ʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
Lord Maʻafu of Vaini and Tokomololo | |
|---|---|
| |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga | |
| In office 16 December 2020 – 12 December 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa |
| Preceded by | Sione Vuna Fa'otusia |
| Succeeded by | Poasi Tei |
| Minister for Lands, Survey, Natural Resources | |
| In office 4 January 2011 – 12 December 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Lord Tuʻivakanō ʻAkilisi Pōhiva Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa |
| Preceded by | Lord Tuita |
| Minister for the Environment and Climate Change | |
| In office July 2009 – 30 December 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | Feleti Sevele Lord Tuʻivakanō |
| Succeeded by | Siaosi Sovaleni |
| Member of Parliament for Tongatapu | |
| In office 23 April 2008 – 12 December 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Siosaʻia Lausiʻi 1 July 1955 |
| Died | 12 December 2021 (aged 66) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Spouse | Princess Lavinia Mataʻotahone Tukuʻaho |
| Children | Hon. Tevita ʻUnga Hon. Lavinia Fangaʻaka |
| Parent(s) | Hon. Tevita ʻUngamotangitau Lausiʻi Hon. Peti Lausiʻi |
Biography
Lausiʻi was born in Tonga on 1 July 1955. He was the son of the Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi, Tevita ‘Unga Tangitau, and Hon. Peti Ma’afu (nee Green).[2] Lausiʻi enrolled in the Tonga Defence Services on 3 March 1975, and was commissioned the same year to become "Platoon Commander of the Tonga Royal Guards". He served as a commissioned officer, rising to the rank of Commanding Officer of Land Force in 2000, before serving as Private Secretary to King Taufaʻahau Tupou IV from 2001 to 2006.[4][5] He married a niece of the king, Princess Lavinia Mata-‘o-Tāone, and they had two children: Hon. Tevita ʻUnga and Hon. Lavinia Fangaʻaka.[6]
Upon the death of his father, Lausiʻi was installed as Ma’afu, Lord of Vaini and Tokomololo.[1] The full title Maʻafu Tukuʻiʻaulahi means "Maʻafu put in the strong current".[2]
Maʻafu entered politics for the general election in April 2008. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly as a Nobles' Representative for Tongatapu, receiving ten votes from fellow electors of the nobility.[7] In July 2009, he was appointed Minister for the Environment and Climate Change in Prime Minister Feleti Sevele's Cabinet.[5][8]
Maʻafu retained his seat in the November 2010 general election, again receiving ten votes.[9] He was then appointed Minister for Lands, Survey, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change in Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō's Cabinet;[10] legislation enacted in 2010 prescribed that only a Nobles' Representative could be appointed Minister for Lands.[11]
Following the 2014 election, Maʻafu was reappointed Minister of Lands, becoming the only noble representative in the cabinet of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva.[12] In February 2017 he was ostracised by Tonga's nobles for his participation in Cabinet.[13] In September 2017 he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.[14] He returned to Cabinet following the DPFI's landslide[15] in the 2017 election, but resigned in March 2018 after a dispute with Minister of Police Mateni Tapueluelu. He rejoined Cabinet in May with the same portfolios.[16]
In October 2019 Maʻafu was appointed Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces in the cabinet of Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa.[17] After Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fa'otusia resigned from the cabinet in December 2020, Maʻafu was appointed as the new Deputy Prime Minister.[18]
Maʻafu traveled to New Zealand for medical treatment in 2021.[6] He was still overseas at the time of the 2021 elections, and was not returned to his seat.[19] He died in Auckland on 12 December 2021.[1][3][20] He was succeeded as Maʻafu by his son, Tevita ‘Unga Tangitau.[21]
Honours
- National honours[4]
Order of the Crown of Tonga, Commander (31 July 2008).[22]
King Taufaʻahau Silver Jubilee Medal (4 July 1992)
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
General Service Medal (Bougainville)
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- Foreign honours[4]
The US Army Commendation Medal
