'Akosita Lavulavu

‘Akosita Havili Lavulavu (born 1985) is a Tongan politician and a member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga for Vavaʻu 16.

The Honourable

‘Akosita Havili Lavulavu

MLA
'Akosita Lavulavu in 2016
Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism
Assumed office
10 October 2019
Prime MinisterPohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
Preceded bySemisi Sika
Minister for Internal Affairs, Women, Culture, Youth and Sports
In office
18 January 2018 – 11 April 2018
Prime MinisterʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Preceded byʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Succeeded byLosaline Ma'asi
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga for Vavaʻu 16
Assumed office
16 July 2016
Preceded by‘Etuate Lavulavu
Personal details
Born1985
Political partyPeople's Party
Spouse(s)‘Etuate Lavulavu
Alma materBrigham Young University–Hawaii
University of the South Pacific

Lavulavu is the wife of former MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu. She was educated at Tonga High School, with tertiary study at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, earning a Bachelor in Information System, and the University of the South Pacific, earning an MBA.[1]

Before entering politics she was the director of the Unuaki 'o Tonga Royal Institute.[2] Following her husband's conviction for bribery in 2016[3] she stood in the resulting by-election and was elected, becoming the 5th female MP in Tonga's history.[2][4] She was re-elected at the 2017 general election,[5] after which she was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs and Sports.[6]

On 3 March 2018 Lavulavu and her husband were both arrested on fraud charges stemming from their management of the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute in 2016.[7] She was subsequently sacked from her Ministerial position.[8]

Following the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva Lavulavu supported Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa for Prime Minister, leaving the DPFI to join Tuʻiʻonetoa's new People's Party.[9] While still awaiting trial,[10] in October 2019 she was appointed Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism in the cabinet of Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa.[11]

References
  1. "'Akosita Lavulavu sworn in as new MP". Legislative Assembly of Tonga. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  2. "Sole woman MP elected in Tonga". Radio New Zealand. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  3. "Tongan minister found guilty of bribery". Radio New Zealand International. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  4. Henry Ivarature (18 July 2016). "Tonga by-election yields 5th Female Member of Parliament in its history". IDEA. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  5. "Tongan Democrat landslide delivers numbers for Pohiva government". Asia Pacific Report. 17 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  6. "Prime Minister Pōhiva submits his cabinet lineup to the Tongan king". Asia-Pacific Report. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  7. "Police arrest Minister of Internal Affairs and husband". Matangi Tonga. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  8. "Tonga's Internal Affairs Minister fired". RNZ. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  9. "Parliament elects Dr Pōhiva Tu'i'onetoa as new PM". The World News. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  10. "Lavulavu forgery trial set for 2020". Matangi Tonga. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  11. ""Prime Minister Announces New Cabinet Ministers"". Government of Tonga. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.


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