A reshuffle in the Tonga cabinet has seen Prime Minister ‘Akilisi PÅhiva is to step down from the Foreign Affairs minister.
He will move to the Public Enterprises ministry.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. SÄ“misi Sika will act in the foreign affairs portfolio.
As part of the reshuffle, the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture will be split.
Hon. Losalini Ma’asi will take over a separate fisheries portfolio while Hon. SÄ“misi Fakahau will be in charge of agriculture.
Radio New Zealand reports that the Minister for Health, Hon. Saia Piukala, will take over the Internal Affairs.
King Tupou VI has still to give his consent.
Tonga’s cabinet took office a year ago after Hon. PÅhiva’s Democratic Party was re-elected following a snap election.
Cabinet positions at the beginning of the new Parliament were held by:
Samuela Akilisi PÅhiva – Prime Minister of Tonga; Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs
Sēmisi Sika – Deputy Prime Minister; Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure
Sēmisi Fakahau – Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries, Forestry and Food
Dr. PÅhiva Tuionetoa – Minister of Finance and National Planning
Penisimani Fifita – Minister of Education and Training
Poasi Tei – Minister of Energy, Environment, Information and Climate Change (MEIDEECC)
Outgoing ‘Akosita H. Lavulavu – Minister of Internal Affairs and Sports
Dr. Tu’i Uata – Minister of Labour and Commerce
Dr. Saia Piukala – Minister of Health and Public Enterprises
Lord Ma’afu – Minister of Lands and Survey
Sione Vuna FÄ’otusia – Minister of Justice and Prisons
MÄteni Tapueluelu – Minister of Police & Fire Services; Customs and Revenue
The main points
- A reshuffle in the Tonga cabinet has seen Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva is to step down from the Foreign Affairs minister.
- He will move to the Public Enterprises ministry.
For more information
Tongan cabinet reshuffled
