Penisimani Fifita
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Penisimani Fifita | |
|---|---|
 Penisimani Fifita in 2016 | |
| Minister of Internal Affairs | |
| In office 17 October 2016 – 16 January 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva |
| Preceded by | Fe’ao Vakatā |
| Succeeded by | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 16 January 2017 – 10 October 2019 | |
| Preceded by | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva |
| Succeeded by | Siaosi Sovaleni |
| Member of Parliament for Tongatapu 9 | |
| In office 27 November 2014 – 18 November 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Falisi Tupou |
| Succeeded by | Sevenitini Toumoʻua |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands |
Penisimani 'Epenisa Fifita is a Tongan politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. He is a member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
Before entering politics Fifita worked as a teacher, lecturer, and a public servant for Tonga's Ministry of Internal Affairs.[1] He was first elected at the 2014 Tongan general election. He served as Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House,[2] and in October 2016 was made Minister of Internal Affairs.[3] In January 2017 he became Minister of Education.[4][5] He was re-elected at the 2017 election and retained his portfolio.[6] In 2018, he caused a public controversy by banning Tongan schoolgirls from playing rugby.[7][8]
Following the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva and his replacement by Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa in October 2019 he was not reappointed to Tuʻiʻonetoa's new Cabinet.[9]
He lost his seat in the 2021 Tongan general election.[10]
