Tonga’s new Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, has announced his 11-member Cabinet.
Most Cabinet ministers have been selected from among elected members of Parliament.
One portfolio has been filled from outside Parliament, with the Crown Prince appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs and His Majesty’s Armed Forces, roles he also held in the previous government.
Aside from the Prime Minister, no Cabinet ministers have been appointed from among the noble members of Parliament, continuing a pattern set by the previous government.
The Prime Minister will oversee two major portfolios: police, prisons, and fire and emergency services; and the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change, and Communications (MEIDECC).
The only woman newly elected to Parliament, Fane Fotu Fituafe, has been appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, a portfolio that includes women’s affairs, social development, and employment.
Lord Fakanua has assembled several members of Parliament, previously involved in intense debate and confrontation in Parliament. They are Dr Taniela Fusimalohi, former Prime Minister Huʻakavameiliku (Siaosi Sovaleni), and former Infrastructure Minister Seventiini Toumoʻua.
Dr Fusimalohi previously served as a deputy prime minister in the government led by Dr ʻAisake Eke, which initiated a vote of no confidence in December 2024. The motion ultimately prompted Prime Minister Huʻakavameiliku’s resignation before it could be debated.
The same episode also led to Toumoʻua losing his ministerial post in that Cabinet.
The incident escalated into prolonged clashes in Parliament last year involving the trio, following a series of serious allegations made by Dr Fusimalohi—who was then Minister for Infrastructure—against Huʻakavameiliku and Toumoʻua. Among these was a dispute that culminated in Fusimalohi accusing Toumoʻua of defamation on social media, as alleged at the time.
PM Lord Fakafanua presented his ministerial recommendations to King Tupou VI during an audience on December 26, the Prime Minister’s Office recently said.
The King formally appointed the new ministers on Wednesday, 31, 2025, in accordance with the Constitution, which requires appointments to be made on the Prime Minister’s advice.
The appointments released by the Prime Minister’s Office today are as follows:
- Lord Fakafanua
Prime Minister
Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change (MEIDECC); Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Prisons
- Dr Viliami Uasike Latu
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Justice; Minister for Trade and Economic Development
- HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala
Minister for His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services; Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces
- Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni
Minister for Public Enterprises; Minister for Health
- Lataifaingata’a Tangimana
Minister for Finance & National Planning
- Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika
Minister for Tourism; Minister for Infrastructure
- Dr Taniela Liku’ohihifo Fusimalohi
Minister for Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources
- Dr Mo’ale ‘Otunuku
Minister for Education and Training
- Sevenitini Toumo’ua
Minister for Customs and Inland Revenue
- Viliami Sisifa
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests; Minister for Fisheries
- Fane Fotu Fituafe
Minister for Internal Affairs, Employment, Women, Social Protection, Youth and Sports.
