Vavaʻu 14
Vavaʻu 14 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located in the Vavaʻu island group, it encompasses the villages of Pangaimotu, ‘Utulei, ‘Utungake, Talihau, Taoa, Vaimalo, Tefisi, Tu'anuku, Longomapu, Taunga, Kapa, ‘Otea, Falevai, Matamaka, Nuapapu, Lape, Ovaka, Hunga, Holeva, Koloa, Olo'ua, Ofu, and Okoa. It is one of three constituencies in Vavaʻu. (The number 14 does not mean that it is the fourteenth in Vavaʻu, but in the country.)
Its first ever (and so far only) representative is Lisiate ‘Akolo, elected MP for the first time, though he was appointed Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries, from outside Parliament, by Prime Minister Feleti Sevele in 2006, and thus sat in Parliament ex officio from 2006 to 2010. He stood in the 2010 general election as an independent candidate, against one of the incumbent MPs for the heretofore two-seat constituency of Vavaʻu, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, also an independent. ‘Akolo was elected, with a 5.3% lead over Lavulavu. He remained Minister for Labour.
Vavaʻu
Vavaʻu is the island group of one large island (ʻUtu Vavaʻu) and 40 smaller ones in Tonga. It is part of Vavaʻu District. According to tradition the Maui god fished up both Tongatapu and Vavaʻu but put a little more effort into the former. Vavaʻu rises 204 m above sea level at Mt. Talau. The capital is Neiafu, which is the fifth largest city in Tonga, situated at one of the best harbours of the world, the Port of Refuge (Puatalefusi or Lolo-ʻa-Halaevalu).
History
Myths and legends
In Polynesia it is explained that the islands were created by the god Maui, who caught the bottom of the sea with his magic hook, fished up and left on the sea surface what became the islands of Vavaʻu. In total there are 70 islands, of which 17 are inhabited, spread over six districts.
Recorded history
Don Francisco Mourelle de la Rúa, commanding Spanish frigate Princesa was the first European to come to Vavaʻu, on 4 March 1781. He charted Vava'u as Martín de Mayorga who was the Viceroy of New Spain at the time.Captain James Cook knew about the islands a decade before, but the people in Haʻapai told him it would be no good for him to go there as there was no harbour. Apparently they did not want him to go there, and Cook heeded their advice anyway.
Vavaʻu 15
Vavaʻu 15 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located in the Vavaʻu island group, it encompasses the villages of Neiafu, Fungamisi, Falaleu, Makave, Toula, and ‘Utui. It is one of three constituencies in Vavaʻu. (The number 15 does not mean that it is the fifteenth in Vavaʻu, but in the country.)
Its first ever (and so far only) representative is Samiu Vaipulu, a veteran politician first elected to Parliament in 1987. Following his re-election in 2010 as an independent, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister under Prime Minister Lord Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō.
Members of Parliament
Election results
2010
References
Podcasts:
