Baron Vaea
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Siaosi ʻAlipate Halakilangi Tau’alupeoko Vaea Tupou (15 May 1921 – 7 June 2009), more commonly known as Baron Vaea of Houma, was a Tongan politician who served as
Prime Minister of Tonga The prime minister of Tonga (historically referred to as the premier) is the head of government of Tonga. Tonga is a monarchy with the List of monarchs of Tonga, king, currently Tupou VI, former prime minister, as head of state. The current p ...
. Vaea was a nephew of Queen Sālote, who ruled Tonga from 1918 until 1965, and a member of the Tongan
nobility Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally appointed by and ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. T ...
. His career in the Tongan government spanned 54 years. Vaea was prime minister from 22 August 1991 until 2000 under the late 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. The late Vaea and his wife, Baroness Tuputupu Vaea, are the parents of the current Queen of Tonga, Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho.


Biography


Early life

Siaosi ʻAlipate Halakilangi Tau’alupeoko Vaea Tupou was born on 15 May 1921 to parents Vīlai Tupou and Tupou Seini. His father, Vīlai Tupou, was the half brother of Queen Sālote, while his mother, Tupou Seini, was the daughter of a Tongan
nobleman Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally appointed by and ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. T ...
named Vaea. He attended Wesley College, Auckland, from 1938 until 1941. He enlisted in the
Royal New Zealand Air Force The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF; ) is the aerial warfare, aerial military service, service branch of the New Zealand Defence Force. It was formed initially in 1923 as a branch of the New Zealand Army, being known as the New Zealand Perm ...
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
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s.


Government career

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 Sālote, as Aide-de-Camp from 1953 until 1958. He 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. While High Commissioner he was given the title of Baron. He was appointed to numerous government ministerial portfolios in the
Tongan Cabinet The Cabinet of Tonga is the cabinet (executive branch) 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 ...
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 is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military and non-state aviation, which can be both private and commercial. Most countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and ...
, Tourism, Education and Marine and Ports, at various points during his career.


Prime Minister of Tonga

Baron Vaea of Houma applied for retirement from government and civil service in the early 1990s. However, soon after submitting his retirement application, King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV appointed Vaea as
Prime Minister of Tonga The prime minister of Tonga (historically referred to as the premier) is the head of government of Tonga. Tonga is a monarchy with the List of monarchs of Tonga, king, currently Tupou VI, former prime minister, as head of state. The current p ...
. Vaea's predecessor, Fatafehi Tu'ipelehake had resigned from office in 1991 due to declining health. He took office on 22 August 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 Islands 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 Taufa'ahau Tupou IV 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 Tonga'' 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."


Death

Baron Vaea died at his residence, 'Tali ki Ha'apai', in Houma,
Tongatapu Tongatapu is the main island of Tonga and the site of its capital, Nukuʻalofa, 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 74,611 residents (2016), 70.5% o ...
, Tonga, on 7 June 2009, at approximately 10 pm 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 of Houma 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 HM Queen Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho, 'Alipate Tu'ivanuavou Vaea, 'Amelia Luoluafetu'u Vaea, Luseane Luani and Cassandra Tuku'aho (of Tu'ivanuavou Vaea). Vaea was predeased by two sons, Moimoikimofuta Kaifahina Vaea and Ratu Edward Vaea. Vaea's funeral began at 11 am on 13 June 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 former
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of
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Tupua Tamasese Efi, his wife, Masiofo Filifilia Imo, and the then
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Epeli Nailatikau. Tongan historian Elizabeth Wood-Ellem noted that Baron Vaea of Houma remained highly respected by the Tongan people throughout his life, "They certainly held him in enormous respect."


Succession

Baron Vaea's son
ʻAlipate Tuʻivanuavou Vaea ʻAlipate Tuʻivanuavou Vaea, Lord Vaea (born September 19, 1957) is a Tongan politician and a member of the Culture of Tonga#Rank and status, Tongan nobility. He has served as Master of the Royal Household and "long-time palace archivist", as we ...
was bestowed the title Lord Vaea shortly after his father's death.


Family tree


Honours

;National honours * Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Grand Cross with Collar (31 July 2008).


References


External links


Baron Vaea
– Daily telegraph obituary *
Baron Vaea passes away after a long life of service
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vaea, Baron 1921 births 2009 deaths Tongan nobles Prime ministers of Tonga Agriculture ministers of Tonga Deputy prime ministers of Tonga Forestry ministers of Tonga Industry ministers of Tonga Labour ministers of Tonga Trade ministers of Tonga Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel Tongan World War II pilots People educated at Wesley College, Auckland High commissioners of Tonga to the United Kingdom People from Tongatapu Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III Recipients of orders, decorations, and medals of French Polynesia New Zealand World War II pilots