Penisimani Fifita

Penisimani 'Epenisa Fifita is a Tongan politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. He is a member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.

Penisimani Fifita
Penisimani Fifita in 2016
Minister of Internal Affairs
In office
17 October 2016 – 16 January 2017
Prime MinisterʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Preceded byFe’ao Vakatā
Succeeded byʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Minister of Education
In office
16 January 2017 – 10 October 2019
Preceded byʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Succeeded bySiaosi Sovaleni
Member of Parliament
for Tongatapu 9
In office
27 November 2014 – 18 November 2021
Preceded byFalisi Tupou
Succeeded bySevenitini Toumoʻua
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic Party of the Friendly Islands

Before entering politics Fifita worked as a teacher, lecturer, and a public servant for Tonga's Ministry of Internal Affairs.[1] He was first elected at the 2014 Tongan general election. He served as Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House,[2] and in October 2016 was made Minister of Internal Affairs.[3] In January 2017 he became Minister of Education.[4][5] He was re-elected at the 2017 election and retained his portfolio.[6] In 2018, he caused a public controversy by banning Tongan schoolgirls from playing rugby.[7][8]

Following the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva and his replacement by Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa in October 2019 he was not reappointed to Tuʻiʻonetoa's new Cabinet.[9]

He lost his seat in the 2021 Tongan general election.[10]

References
  1. "Pacific Parliamentary Forum 2016: delegate bios". NZ Office of the Clerk. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  2. "Penisimani Fifita elected as New Whole House Committee Chair". Government of Tonga. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  3. "Penisimani Fifita sworn in as new Minister in Parliament while Veivosa Taka becomes Chairman of the Whole House Committee". Tonga Broadcasting Corporation. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  4. "Ministerial shake-up, Penisimani Fifita new Minister of Education". Loop Tonga. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  5. "Tonga Prime Minister Gives Up Education Ministerial Portfolio". Pacific Islands Report. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  6. "Prime Minister Pōhiva submits his cabinet lineup to the Tongan king". Asia-Pacific Report. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  7. "Tongan ban on girls' rugby sparks outrage in sports community". NewsHub. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  8. "Tonga Education Minister Fifita refuses to back down on ban on girls boxing and playing rugby". PACNEWS. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  9. ""Prime Minister Announces New Cabinet Ministers"". Government of Tonga. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  10. "Tonga elects all-male parliament with nine new People's Reps". Matangi Tonga. 18 November 2021. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.


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