Siosa'ia Ma'ulupekotofa Tuita (born 21 March 1951) is a Tongan royal and diplomat. He is the current Chief Tuita, Lord Tuita.[1]
Siosaia Ma'ulupekotofa Tuita | |
---|---|
![]() Princess Pilolevu Tuita and Lord Tuita on their wedding day in 1976 | |
Born | 21 March 1951 |
Spouse | |
Issue | Sālote Lupepau'u Salamasina Purea Vahine Ari'i 'Oe Hau Tuita Taione Titilupe Fanetupouvava'u Tuita Tu'ivakano Frederica Lupe'uluiva Fatafehi 'o Lapaha Tuita Filipe Lupeolo Halaevalu Moheofo Virginia Rose Tuita Aleamotu'a Sione Ikamafana Tuku'aho |
Father | Siosaia Aleamotu'a Laufilitonga |
Mother | Fatafehi Lapaha Tupou |
Religion | Methodism |
Career
editHe received his education at Wanganui College, Auckland University and the University of Oxford. He was appointed Official Translator of the Tongan Prime Minister's office in 1972 and then served for several years in the Tongan Foreign Service, including as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in 1989–1992[1] and as Consul General in San Francisco from 1992 to 1996. From 1998 to 2002 Tuita was governor of Vava'u.[2] In 2002 he was appointed to the cabinet of Tonga with the title minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Nutrition. In May 2006 he was appointed as Minister of Lands Survey, Natural Resources and Environment in a Cabinet reshuffle.[3] He was appointed acting governor of Vava'u in 2009.[4]
In 2010, he was appointed as Tongan Consul General to the United States again, with an office based out of San Francisco, California. He currently lives with his wife, Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita, and their family, dividing their time between residences in Tau'akipulu and Hillsborough, California.[5]
Marriage
editTuita married the Princess Royal, Salote Pilolevu Tuita, the only daughter of King Sia'osi Taufa'ahau Tupou IV in the Chapel Royal, Nuku'alofa, on 20 July 1976. They are the parents of four daughters:
- Sālote Lupepau'u Salamasina Purea Vahine Ari'i 'Oe Hau Tuita Taione,
- Titilupe Fanetupouvava'u Tuita Kaho (Tu'ivakano),
- Frederica Lupe'uluiva Fatafehi 'o Lapaha Tuita Filipe,
- Lupeolo Halaevalu Moheofo Virginia Rose Tuita
and a son, whom they adopted from her brother Prince Fatafehi ʻAlaivahamamaʻo Tukuʻaho (27 September 1979 – 17 February 2004) :
- Hon. Fatafehi Sione Ikamafana Tānekinga ʻo Tonga Tuku'aho (2003–)
Honours
editOrders
edit- Knight Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Queen Salote Tupou III (31 July 2008)[6]
Decorations
edit- King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Coronation Silver Jubilee Medal (4 July 1992)[citation needed]
- King George Tupou V Coronation Medal (1 August 2008)[citation needed]
- King George Tupou VI Coronation Medal (4 July 2015)[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ a b "Tonga accredites first ever ambassador to Luxembourg". Diplomat Magazine. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
The Hon. Titilupe Fanetupouvava'u's father, Chief and IX Lord Tuita of ʻUtungake, The Honourable Siosa'ia Ma'ulupekotofa Tuita himself once served as High Commissioner of Tonga to the United Kingdom between 1989 and 1992.
- ^ "KING OF TONGA APPROVES GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS". Pacific Islands Report. 26 March 1998. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "A cabinet reshuffle takes place in Tonga". RNZ. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Tonga PM appoints two new ministers, takes over foreign affairs and defence". RNZ. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Tongans mourn passing of king". San Mateo Daily Journal. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.