NUKU’ALOFA (PINA) — The noble Tu‘ivakano is the new speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, an influential position in the kingdom’s parliament.
He was appointed speaker for the 2002-2004 following election to his third successive term as one of the nine nobles’ representatives in the house.
The house is made up of nobles and commoners’ representatives plus ministers appointed by King Taufa’ahau Tupou.
Before entering politics, Tu‘ivakano worked in the Ministry of Education for 18 years as officer responsible for culture, youth and sports. It followed a teaching career.
He graduated, in 1974, with a diploma from Ardmore Teachers College in New Zealand, and in 1991, with a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the Flinders University in South Australia.
