Cabinet of Tonga


The Cabinet of Tonga is the cabinet of the government of the Kingdom of Tonga. It is composed primarily of the ministers of government. The latter, including the Prime Minister, are appointed by the monarch. The Governor of Ha'apai and the Governor of Vava'u also serve on the Cabinet ex officio. When in session and presided over by the monarch, the Cabinet is known as the Privy Council.

Current Cabinet

The current Cabinet was appointed by Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa after he was elected Prime Minister following the death of ʻAkilisi Pohiva in September 2019.
Government on 10 October 2019
PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
Prime Minister
Minister for Public Enterprises		The Hon Pohiva TuʻiʻonetoaPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 10		People's Party
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Justice and Prison		The Hon Sione Vuna Fa'otusiaPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 7		People's Party
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces		Lord MaʻafuNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Minister for Finance
Minister for Revenue and Customs		The Hon Tevita LavemaauPeople's representative for ʻEua 11Independent
Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management,

Environment, Communications and Climate Change		The Hon Poasi TeiPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 6
Minister for Education & TrainingThe Hon Dr Siaosi SovaleniPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 3
Minister for Trade and Economic DevelopmentThe Hon Samiu VaipuluPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 15		Independent
Minister for Infrastructure and TourismThe Hon Dr 'Akosita LavulavuPeople's representative
for Vava'u 16		People's Party
Minister for Internal AffairsThe Hon Dr Vatau HuiPeople's representative
for Niua 17		People's Party
Minister for Police, Fire & Emergency ServicesThe Hon Lord NukuNoble's representative for 'Eua-
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and FisheriesThe Hon Lord Tu’ilakepaNoble's representative for Vava'u-
Minister for HealthThe Hon Dr ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotunot in Parliament

Past Cabinets

Pohiva Cabinet

The previous Cabinet results from the November 2014 general election. ʻAkilisi Pohiva, leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands and long-standing leader of the movement campaigning for democracy in Tonga, was elected Prime Minister by the new Parliament on 29 December. He was supported by fifteen of the seventeen People's Representatives: all ten MPs from his party, and five of the seven independent members. Conversely, all nine Nobles' Representatives voted for his rival, Samiu Vaipulu. Pohiva thus became the first commoner in Tonga to be elected Prime Minister by a predominantly elected Parliament. He appointed the following government on 30 December. Drawing from his majority in Parliament, all of his ministers are People's Representatives, with one exception. By law, the Ministry for Land must be entrusted to a Noble, and Pohiva thus invited incumbent minister Lord Maʻafu to retain that position. Pōhiva died on 12 September 2019 and Semisi Sika took over as acting prime minister.
Government on 30 December 2014
PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
Prime Minister
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Minister for Education and Training
The Hon ʻAkilisi PōhivaPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 1		Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Environment and Communication
The Hon Siaosi SovaleniPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 3		Independent
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Lord MaʻafuNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and FisheriesThe Hon Semisi FakahauPeople's representative for Tongatapu 8Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Minister of JusticeThe Hon Sione Vuna Fa'otusiaPeople's representative for Tongatapu 7Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Minister of Infrastructure and WorksThe Hon ‘Etuate LavulavuPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 16		Independent
Minister of Police, Tourism, Labour and CommerceThe Hon Dr Pohiva TuʻiʻonetoaPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 10		Independent
Minister for Internal Affairs, Women, Culture, Youth and SportsThe Hon Fe’ao VakatāPeople's representative
for Ongo Niua 17		Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Minister for HealthThe Hon Dr Saia PiukalaPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 14		Independent
Minister for Finance and National PlanningThe Hon Dr ʻAisake EkePeople's representative
for Tongatapu 4		Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Minister for Public EnterprisesThe Hon Poasi TeiPeople's representative for Tongatapu 6Independent
Minister for Revenue and CustomsThe Hon Tevita LavemaauPeople's representative for 'Eua 11Independent

Tuʻivakano Cabinet

This Cabinet results from the November 2010 general election, the first enabling ordinary citizens to elect a majority of Members of Parliament, and the first also enabling Parliament to elect the Prime Minister. After being elected Prime Minister by Parliament, Lord Tuʻivakanō appointed the following as his Cabinet. His decision to appoint Dr. Ana Taufeʻulungaki and Clive Edwards, who were not Members of Parliament, was met with some controversy, but Tuʻivakanō defended his choice on the grounds of their experience. It also meant that the Ministry for Women's Affairs would be headed by a woman; as all members of the legislature were men, appointing a Member of Parliament to the position would have meant it being held by a man.
The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, which had won twelve of the seventeen seats allotted to people's representatives in the Assembly, requested six seats in Cabinet, but was awarded only two, generating some disagreements within the party itself. Senior party MPs ʻAkilisi Pohiva and ʻIsileli Pulu nevertheless accepted the proposed Cabinet positions.
Lord Tuʻivakanō's first Cabinet, announced at the beginning of January 2011, was thus the following. On 13 January, however, newly appointed Health Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva resigned, in protest over his party having only two Cabinet positions, and refusing to be bound by collective Cabinet responsibility. He was replaced by ʻUliti Uata on 25 January.
PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
Prime Minister,
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Minister for Defence,
Minister for Information and Communication		Lord TuʻivakanōNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister for Justice,
Minister for Transport and Works		Samiu Kuita VaipuluPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 15		Independent
Minister for Lands, Survey, Natural Resources
and Environment and Climate Change		Lord MaʻafuNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and FisheriesLord VaeaNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Minister for FinanceSunia Manu FiliPeople's representative
for ʻEua 11		Independent
Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and SportsFeʻaomoeata VakataPeople's representative
for Niuas 17		Independent
Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire ServicesViliami LatuPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 16		Independent
Minister for Labour, Commerce and IndustriesLisiate ʻAloveita ʻAkoloPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 14		Independent
Minister for HealthʻAkilisi PohivaPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 1		Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Minister for TourismʻIsileli PuluPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 4		Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Minister for Revenue Services and Public EnterprisesWiliam Clive Edwardsnot in ParliamentPeople's Democratic Party
Minister for Education, Women Affairs and CultureDr. ʻAna Maui Taufeʻulungakinot in Parliament-

On September 1, 2011, following a reshuffle which switched portfolios around without adding any new minister nor removing any, the Cabinet was as follows:
PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
Prime Minister,
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Minister for Defence,
Minister for Information and Communication		Lord TuʻivakanōNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister for Transport and Works		Samiu Kuita VaipuluPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 15		Independent
Minister for Lands, Survey, Natural Resources
and Environment and Climate Change		Lord MaʻafuNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and FisheriesLord VaeaNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Minister for Finance and Inland RevenueSunia Manu FiliPeople's representative
for ʻEua 11		Independent
Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and SportsFeʻaomoeata VakataPeople's representative
for Niuas 17		Independent
Minister for TourismViliami LatuPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 16		Independent
Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire ServicesLisiate ʻAloveita ʻAkoloPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 14		Independent
Minister for HealthʻUliti UataPeople's representative
for Haʻapai 13		Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Minister for Labour, Commerce and IndustriesʻIsileli PuluPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 4		Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Minister for Justice;
Minister for Public Enterprises		Wiliam Clive Edwardsnot in ParliamentPeople's Democratic Party
Minister for Education, Women Affairs and CultureDr. ʻAna Maui Taufeʻulungakinot in Parliament-

In mid-April 2012, another reshuffle was announced, to be effective from 1 May. Lisiate ʻAkolo, the Minister for Police, was to become Minister for Finance and National Planning. Sunia Fili, the Minister for Finance and Revenue, was to take over the Police, Prisons & Fire Services portfolio; Sosefo Vakata, Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and Sports, would become Minister for Revenue. Lord Vaea, in addition to retaining his Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries portfolio, would take over Vakata's erstwhile ministry. The reshuffle was implemented on 1 May.
In late June, three ministers, Sunia Fili and ʻUliti Uata ) resigned, so as to support a motion of no confidence tabled by their party against the government. On 1 July, Sangster Saulala broke ranks with the DPFI to join the government, but resigned and rejoined the opposition the next day. On 5 July, Lord Tuʻiʻafitu was appointed Minister for Health. The other vacated portfolios remained vacant; Matangi Tonga pointed out that "the selection is difficult because of the very few friendly members of parliament left to choose from", as the motion of no confidence loomed. On 13 July, Saulala joined the government once more, as Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food. He argued that, although he was breaking ranks with his own party, it was the wish of his constituents.
No further announcement was made until 7 January 2013, when Lord Tuʻivakanō announced the following Cabinet:
PortfolioMinisterConstituencyParty
Prime Minister,
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Minister for Defence,
Minister for Information and Communication,
Acting Minister for Police, Fire Services and Prisons		Lord TuʻivakanōNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister for Infrastructure		Samiu Kuita VaipuluPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 15		Independent
Minister for Lands, Environment,
Climate Change and Natural Resources		Lord MaʻafuNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Minister for Education and TrainingDr. ʻAna Maui Taufeʻulungakinot in Parliament-
Minister for HealthLord TuʻiʻafituNobles' representative
for Vavaʻu		-
Minister for Finance and National PlanningLisiate ʻAloveita ʻAkoloPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 14		Independent
Minister for Commerce and TourismViliami LatuPeople's representative
for Vavaʻu 16		Independent
Minister for Internal AffairsLord VaeaNobles' representative
for Tongatapu		-
Minister for Justice;
Minister for Public Enterprises		Wiliam Clive Edwardsnot in ParliamentPeople's Democratic Party
Minister for Revenue ServicesFeʻaomoeata VakataPeople's representative
for Niuas 17		Independent
Minister for Agriculture, Food,
Forests and Fisheries		Sangster SaulalaPeople's representative
for Tongatapu 7		Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands

On 2 February 2013, there was another reshuffle. Sifa Tuʻutafaiva, DPFI MP for Tongatapu 6, was appointed Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services, and Minister for Revenue Services, his first ministerial appointments. Feʻaomoeata Vakata, until then Minister for Revenue Services, was shuffled to the position of Minister of Public Enterprises, replacing Clive Edwards, who retained his other position as Minister for Justice.
On 9 January 2014, Finance Minister Lisiate ‘Akolo was sacked after publicly criticising aspects of the budget. ʻAisake Eke, Independent MP for Tongatapu 5, was appointed in his place.

Sevele Cabinet

For the most part, the Cabinet below results from a reshuffle in May 2009, but Teisina Fuko was subsequently appointed Minister for Revenue Services in October, and Samiu Vaipulu became Minister of Justice in November. John Cauchi became Attorney General in May 2009, but resigned in April 2010.
PortfolioMinister
Prime Minister,
Minister of Communication,
Mininister of Disaster Relief & Activities,
Mininister of Labour, Commerce, and Industries		Dr. Feleti Sevele
Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister of Health		Dr. Viliami Tangi
Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, and ForestryHSH Prince Tu'ipelehake Viliami Tupoulahi Mailefihi Tuku'aho
Minister of Civil Aviation, Marine, and PortsPaul Karalus
Minister of Defense,
Minister of Foreign Affairs		Dr. Feleti Sevele
Minister of Education, Women's Affairs, and CultureTevita Hala Palefau
Minister of FinanceSiosiua Utoikamanu
Minister of JusticeSamiu Vaipulu
Attorney Generalvacant
Minister of Lands, Survey, Natural Resources, and EnvironmentSiosa'ia Ma'ulupekotofa Tuita
Minister of Police, Fire Services, and PrisonsDr. Viliami Tangi
Minister of TourismFineasi Funaki
Minister of Training, Employment, Youth, and SportsSiale'ataonga Tu'ivakano
Minister of WorksNuku
Minister of Information and Communication'Eseta Fusitu'a
Minister of Revenue ServicesTeisina Fuko
Governor of Ha'apaiMalupo
Governor of Vava'uSonatane Tu'akinamolahi Taumoepeau Tupou