ʻAlisi Afeaki Taumoepeau

ʻAlisi Afeaki Taumoepeau is a Tongan politician. She became the first woman to hold a Cabinet post in Tonga when she was named Attorney general and Minister of Justice in 2006.

ʻAlisi Afeaki Taumoepeau
Malia Viviena ʻAlisi Nunia Taumoepeau
Acting Ombudsman of Tonga
Assumed office
18 February 2023
Preceded byʻAisea Taumoepeau
Minister of Justice
In office
17 May 2006 – 31 May 2009
MonarchKing George Tupou V
Prime MinisterDr. Feleti Sevele
Preceded bySiaosi Taimani ʻAho
Succeeded bySamiu Vaipulu
Attorney General of Tonga
In office
17 May 2006 – 31 May 2009
MonarchKing George Tupou V
Prime MinisterDr. Feleti Sevele
Preceded bySiaosi Taimani ʻAho
Succeeded byJohn Cauchi
Personal details
SpouseʻAisea Taumoepeau

Career

Malia Viviena ʻAlisi Nunia Taumoepeau studied law at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand,[1] becoming the first Tongan woman with a degree in the subject. She had initially wanted to study medicine and mathematics but was not accepted for a scholarship. She turned to law at the suggestion of her father, Pousima ʻAfeaki. Upon returning to Tonga she worked at the Crown Law Office for several years. By 2004 she had become solicitor general for the country. At the same time her husband ʻAisea Taumoepeau jointly held the posts of attorney general and Minister for Justice but was asked to resign. She was also pressured to resign by Prime Minister Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake, following her support of civil servants during a strike.[2]

When Taumoepeau was named jointly as attorney general and Minister for Justice in 2006[3][4] it was the first time that a Tongan woman had been named to a cabinet post within the Tongan Government.[5]

She was asked to resign her posts by the Tongan government, which she did effective May 31, 2009. Following her resignation her former role was split into two,[3] with John Cauchi succeeding her as attorney general, and Samiu Vaipulu becoming the new Minister of Justice. At the time there was no official comment but it was later reported that it was after she mislead the Cabinet. Following the resignation of Cauchi from the attorney general post, she agreed with his allegations that both resignations were after the Cabinet interfered in the country's legal system.[6]

In September 2020 she was made a King's Counsel.[7] She then worked as chief executive for the Office of the Ombudsman.[1]

In February 2023 she was sworn in as acting Ombudsman, replacing her husband, ʻAisea Taumoepeau.[1]

Honours
National honours

References
  1. "'Alisi Taumoepeau sworn in as Interim Ombudsman". Matangi Tonga. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  2. "Tonga's first woman Government Minister – also Attorney-General". Pacific Women in Politics. 17 May 2006. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  3. "Tonga's Justice Minister, Attorney General Resigns". Pacific Islands Report. 2 June 2009. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  4. "A cabinet reshuffle takes place in Tonga". RNZ. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  5. ""Election campaign is not about paying voters bills" – ʻAlisi Taumoepeau says". Ministry of Information & Communications. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  6. "Former Tongan Justice Minister explains why she quit". Radio Australia. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  7. "Tonga's women lawyers appointed King's Counsel". Loop Tonga. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  8. "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
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