Baron Vaea of Houma
Encyclopedia
Siaosi Tuʻihala ʻAlipate Vaea Tupou, who was more commonly known as Baron Vaea, (15 May 1921 – 7 June 2009) was a Prime Minister of Tonga
. Vaea was a nephew
of Queen Salote, who ruled Tonga from 1918 until 1965, and a member of the Tongan nobility
. His career in the Tongan government spanned 54 years.
Vaea was Prime Minister from 22 August 1991 until 2000 under the former King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
. He had previously served as Tonga's first High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom
from 1969 until 1972, as well as in various ministerial posts from 1972 until his appointment as Prime Minister by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV in 1991.
Vaea became one of the first of Tonga's nobility to be educated outside of the country when he attended Wesley College, Auckland
, from 1938 until 1941.
He enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force
following his graduation from high school and the outbreak of World War II
. Vaea served as a pilot in the Air Force from 1942 until 1945 piloting PBY Catalina
reconnaissance
flying boat
s.
from 1953 until 1958.
Vaea became the Governor of Ha'apai
in 1960, a position he held until 1968. He became Tonga's first High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom
from 1969 until 1972.
He was appointed to numerous government ministerial portfolios in the Tongan Cabinet
beginning in 1972. Vaea was appointed as Tonga's first Minister of Labour and Commerce, and Industries, which he held from 1972 until 1991. As labour minister, Vaea was responsible for the construction of the Small Industries Centre in Ma'ufanga.
Vaea was simultaneously appointed Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in 1975, a position which he continued to hold until his official retirement from government in 2000. Additionally, Vaea also headed the Tongan Ministries of Civil Aviation
, Tourism
, Education
and Marine and Ports, at various points during his career.
. Vaea's predecessor, Fatafehi Tu'ipelehake had resigned from office in 1991 due to declining health. He took office on August 22, 1991, becoming the 12th Prime Minister of Tonga since 1876.
Vaea served as Prime Minister under King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV from 1991 and 2000. He attended the inaugural Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting
(PALM) in 1997, a gathering of Pacific Island Forum nations spearheaded by Japan to enhance cooperation between the Japanese and Pacific Islands governments. Each of Vaea's successors has attended following meetings since 1997.
Vaea's resignation from office was accepted by King Tupou in 2000, and Vaea was able to retire from government at the age of 78. With a career in the Tongan government and civil service spanning 54 years, Vaea remains one of Tonga's longest serving civil servants.
during his retirement, Vaea expressed concern for a number of issues affecting Tonga, including the decreasing supplies of the country's fresh water supplies, the environment
, the need for additional capital funds and the negative outlook of many Tongan young people. He also stated that the government should encourage Tongans to enter the business world. Vaea seemed to encourage progress and change in Tonga saying in the interview, "Sometimes I think it would be best if Tonga changed, . . . we should let go of some of our beliefs and the way that we do things that seem to weigh us down."
, Tongatapu
, Tonga
, on June 7, 2009, at approximately 10 P.M. He was 88 years old. Vaea had sought medical treatment in New Zealand
, before returning to Tonga in late May 2009. He had been bedridden since May. Vaea's body was kept at his home in Houma until his funeral.
Baron Vaea was survived by his wife, Baroness Tuputupu Vaea, as well as five of their six children and one adopted daughter. The couple's children are HRH Princess Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho, [[ʻAlipate Tuʻivanuavou Vaea|'Alipate Tu'ivanuavou Vaea]], 'Amelia Luoluafetu'u Lasike, Luseane Luani, Moimoikimofuta Kaifahina Vaea and Cassandra Tuku'aho of Tu'ivanuavou Vaea). Vaea was predeased by one son, Ratu Edward Vaea.
Vaea's funeral began at 11 A.M. on June 13, 2009. A funeral procession commenced from his residence, called Tali ki Ha'apai, in Houma
, to nearby Kolomanatau Cemetery for funeral ceremonies and burial.
Dignitaries in attendance included King George Tupou V, Princess Pilolevu Tuita and other members of the Tongan royal family. Several foreign heads of state also attended including the O le Ao o le Malo
of Samoa
Tupua Tamasese Efi, his wife, Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese, and Fijian Vice President Ratu
Epeli Nailatikau
.
Tongan historian Elizabeth Wood-Ellem noted that Baron Vaea remained highly respected by the Tongan people throughout his life, "They certainly held him in enormous respect."
Prime Minister of Tonga
This is a list of Prime Ministers of Tonga from the establishment of that office in 1876 until the present day.-List of Premiers/Prime Ministers of Tonga :-External links:*...
. Vaea was a nephew
Nephew
Nephew is a son of one's sibling or sibling-in-law, and niece is a daughter of one's sibling or a sibling-in-law. Sons and daughters of siblings-in-law are also informally referred to as nephews and nieces respectively, even though there is no blood relation...
of Queen Salote, who ruled Tonga from 1918 until 1965, and a member of the Tongan nobility
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
. His career in the Tongan government spanned 54 years.
Vaea was Prime Minister from 22 August 1991 until 2000 under the former King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
Tāufaāhau Tupou IV, King of Tonga, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, KStJ son of Queen Sālote Tupou III and her consort Prince Viliami Tungī Mailefihi, was the king of Tonga from the death of his mother in 1965 until his own death in 2006...
. He had previously served as Tonga's first High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
from 1969 until 1972, as well as in various ministerial posts from 1972 until his appointment as Prime Minister by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV in 1991.
Early life
Baron Vaea was born on May 15, 1921, to parents Vilai Tupou and Tupou Seini. His father, Vilai Tupou, was the half brother of Queen Salote, while his mother, Tupou Seini, was the daughter of a Tongan nobleman named Vaea.Vaea became one of the first of Tonga's nobility to be educated outside of the country when he attended Wesley College, Auckland
Wesley College, Auckland
Wesley College is a secondary school in Pukekohe, New Zealand. The school provides education from year 9 to 13.The school was founded by members of the Methodist Church in 1844, making it one of the country's oldest schools. Initially located in Grafton and then the Three Kings area of Auckland, it...
, from 1938 until 1941.
He enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
following his graduation from high school and the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Vaea served as a pilot in the Air Force from 1942 until 1945 piloting PBY Catalina
PBY Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other...
reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
flying boat
Flying boat
A flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
s.
Government career
Baron Vaea began working for the government of Tonga in January 1945 following his departure from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He served his aunt, Queen Salote, as Aide-de-CampAide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
from 1953 until 1958.
Vaea became the Governor of Ha'apai
Ha'apai
Haapai is a group of islands, islets, reefs and shoals in the central part of the Kingdom of Tonga, with the Tongatapu group to the south and the Vavau group to the north. Seventeen of the Haapai islands are populated....
in 1960, a position he held until 1968. He became Tonga's first High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
from 1969 until 1972.
He was appointed to numerous government ministerial portfolios in the Tongan Cabinet
Tongan Cabinet
The Cabinet of Tonga is the cabinet of the government of the Kingdom of Tonga. It is composed primarily of the ministers of government. The latter, including the Prime Minister, are appointed by the monarch. The Governor of Ha'apai and the Governor of Vava'u also serve on the Cabinet ex officio...
beginning in 1972. Vaea was appointed as Tonga's first Minister of Labour and Commerce, and Industries, which he held from 1972 until 1991. As labour minister, Vaea was responsible for the construction of the Small Industries Centre in Ma'ufanga.
Vaea was simultaneously appointed Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in 1975, a position which he continued to hold until his official retirement from government in 2000. Additionally, Vaea also headed the Tongan Ministries of Civil Aviation
Civil aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
, Tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
, Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and Marine and Ports, at various points during his career.
Prime Minister of Tonga
Baron Vaea applied for retirement from government and civil service in the early 1990s. However, soon after submitting his retirement application, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV appointed Vaea as Prime Minister of TongaPrime Minister of Tonga
This is a list of Prime Ministers of Tonga from the establishment of that office in 1876 until the present day.-List of Premiers/Prime Ministers of Tonga :-External links:*...
. Vaea's predecessor, Fatafehi Tu'ipelehake had resigned from office in 1991 due to declining health. He took office on August 22, 1991, becoming the 12th Prime Minister of Tonga since 1876.
Vaea served as Prime Minister under King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV from 1991 and 2000. He attended the inaugural Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting
Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting
The Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting ' is a forum between the government of Japan and leaders in the Pacific Islands region. The Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting was established by Japan in 1997 in order to facilitate and strengthen relations with the leaders of the nations of the Pacific Islands...
(PALM) in 1997, a gathering of Pacific Island Forum nations spearheaded by Japan to enhance cooperation between the Japanese and Pacific Islands governments. Each of Vaea's successors has attended following meetings since 1997.
Vaea's resignation from office was accepted by King Tupou in 2000, and Vaea was able to retire from government at the age of 78. With a career in the Tongan government and civil service spanning 54 years, Vaea remains one of Tonga's longest serving civil servants.
Later life
In an interview with Matangi TongaMatangi Tonga
Matangi Tonga is an online newspaper providing Tongan news in both English and Tongan. It is operated by Vava'u Press. The newspaper's Nukualofa office was destroyed in the fires and rioting in November 2006....
during his retirement, Vaea expressed concern for a number of issues affecting Tonga, including the decreasing supplies of the country's fresh water supplies, the environment
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
, the need for additional capital funds and the negative outlook of many Tongan young people. He also stated that the government should encourage Tongans to enter the business world. Vaea seemed to encourage progress and change in Tonga saying in the interview, "Sometimes I think it would be best if Tonga changed, . . . we should let go of some of our beliefs and the way that we do things that seem to weigh us down."
Death
Baron Vaea died at his residence, 'Tali ki Ha'apai', in HoumaHouma
Houma can refer to:*Houma, Louisiana, city in the United States*Houma, Shanxi, city in China*Houma Tribe, a Native American group*Houma, a proper name*Houma, meaning cape, the name of some capes in Tonga and villages near them such as:...
, Tongatapu
Tongatapu
Tongatapu is the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga and the location of its capital Nukualofa. It is located in Tonga's southern island group, to which it gives its name, and is the country's most populous island, with approximately 71,260 residents , 70.5% of the national population...
, Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
, on June 7, 2009, at approximately 10 P.M. He was 88 years old. Vaea had sought medical treatment in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, before returning to Tonga in late May 2009. He had been bedridden since May. Vaea's body was kept at his home in Houma until his funeral.
Baron Vaea was survived by his wife, Baroness Tuputupu Vaea, as well as five of their six children and one adopted daughter. The couple's children are HRH Princess Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho, [[ʻAlipate Tuʻivanuavou Vaea|'Alipate Tu'ivanuavou Vaea]], 'Amelia Luoluafetu'u Lasike, Luseane Luani, Moimoikimofuta Kaifahina Vaea and Cassandra Tuku'aho of Tu'ivanuavou Vaea). Vaea was predeased by one son, Ratu Edward Vaea.
Vaea's funeral began at 11 A.M. on June 13, 2009. A funeral procession commenced from his residence, called Tali ki Ha'apai, in Houma
Houma
Houma can refer to:*Houma, Louisiana, city in the United States*Houma, Shanxi, city in China*Houma Tribe, a Native American group*Houma, a proper name*Houma, meaning cape, the name of some capes in Tonga and villages near them such as:...
, to nearby Kolomanatau Cemetery for funeral ceremonies and burial.
Dignitaries in attendance included King George Tupou V, Princess Pilolevu Tuita and other members of the Tongan royal family. Several foreign heads of state also attended including the O le Ao o le Malo
O le Ao o le Malo
O le Ao o le Malo is the Samoan head of state, which is the title's rough translation....
of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
Tupua Tamasese Efi, his wife, Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese, and Fijian Vice President Ratu
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
Epeli Nailatikau
Epeli Nailatikau
Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, CF, LVO, OBE, MSD, OStJ, is a Fijian chief and the current President of Fiji. He has had a long career in the Military, diplomatic service, and government...
.
Tongan historian Elizabeth Wood-Ellem noted that Baron Vaea remained highly respected by the Tongan people throughout his life, "They certainly held him in enormous respect."