Toke Talagi

The Honourable
Sir Toke Talagi
KNZM
Premier of Niue
Assumed office
19 June 2008
Governor General Jerry Mateparae
Patsy Reddy
Preceded by Young Vivian
Personal details
Political party Independent
Spouse(s) Emeline Fifitaloa

Sir Toke Tufukia Talagi KNZM [1] is a Niuean politician and current Premier of Niue since 2008. He was elected premier by the Niue Assembly on 19 June 2008, defeating the standing premier, Young Vivian, by fourteen votes to five, with one abstaining.[2][3] He is the current Foreign Minister of Niue.

Career

There are no political parties in Niue; Talagi is therefore an independent. In addition to his tenure as Premier of Niue since 2008, Talagi has been, at various times, deputy prime minister,[4] minister of Finance,[5] and minister of Education.[6] Elected to the national Assembly in 2002, he obtained the same number of votes as an opponent in the 2005 election, and retained his seat only thanks to a favourable random draw to designate a winner.[5] He was re-elected easily in 2008.[7]

In 2008, he was elected chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.[8] In May 2009, Talagi co-chaired the 5th Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting (PALM) with then Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in Hokkaido.[9]

It was under Talagi's premiership that Niue became, in November 2011, a founding member of the Polynesian Leaders Group, a regional grouping intended to cooperate on a variety of issues including culture and language, education, responses to climate change, and trade and investment.[10][11][12]

Talagi is the president of the Niue Rugby Union.[13]

In March 2017, Talagi made the announcement he would run in that year's election and for a fourth term as premier.[14]

Recognition

In the 2017 New Year Honours, Talagi was appointed Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM).[15] He received his knighthood from New Zealand Governor General Patsy Reddy in March 2017, who flew to Niue for the ceremony.[16]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Results Of Inaugural EU, Pacific Islands Forum", joint press statement issued by the European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum, 19 September 2008
  2. ↑ "Talagi declared new Niue premier", ABC Radio Australia, 19 June 2008
  3. ↑ "Niue parliament elects Toke Talagi as new premier". Radio New Zealand International. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "Building Small Island Capacity to Withstand Economic, Environmental Shocks Focus of Panel at UN Mauritius Conference", United Nations, 13 January 2005
  5. 1 2 New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs Archived 9 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Niue government website Archived 14 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  8. ↑ "Niue wants more from New Zealand", ABC Radio Australia, 29 September 2008
  9. ↑ "Tongan PM to attend Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting in Japan". Matangi Tonga. 15 May 2009. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  10. ↑ "NZ may be invited to join proposed ‘Polynesian Triangle’ ginger group", Pacific Scoop, 19 September 2011
  11. ↑ "New Polynesian Leaders Group formed in Samoa". Radio New Zealand International. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  12. ↑ "American Samoa joins Polynesian Leaders Group, MOU signed", Savali, 19 November 2011
  13. ↑ Niue National Olympic Committee Archived 21 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine., 26 March 2005
  14. ↑ "Sir Toke's 'unfinished business' includes UN seat". Radio New Zealand. 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
  15. ↑ "2017 New Year Honours". New Zealand Honours Lists. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  16. ↑ "Arise Sir Toke Talagi". Radio New Zealand International. 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
Political offices
Preceded by
Young Vivian		 Premier of Niue
2008–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
Young Vivian		 Foreign Minister of Niue
2008–present		 Incumbent
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