Langi Kavaliku
Langi Kavaliku | |
---|---|
Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga | |
In office 22 August 1991 – 2000 | |
Prime Minister | Baron Vaea ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho |
Succeeded by | Tevita Poasi Tupou |
Minister of Education | |
In office 1966–2000 | |
Prime Minister | Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake Baron Vaea ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho |
Succeeded by | |
Personal details | |
Born | 1939 |
Died | 3 December 2008 |
Senipisi Langi Kavaliku (1939 - 3 December 2008), styled Hu’akavameiliku, was a Tongan scholar and politician. He served as a Cabinet Minister for 35 years, and was Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga in the 1990s. He was the first Tongan to obtain a master's degree and a PhD.[1]
Early life[]
Kavaliku was educated at Harvard University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, before obtaining a Master of Arts from the University of Cambridge.[1] In 1966 he completed a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington, with a thesis was on "Educational reorganization for national development in Tonga".[2]
Political career[]
Shortly after graduating he was appointed to Cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio. In early 1968 he was appointed acting Minister of Finance while was seeking medical treatment in New Zealand.[3] In 1969 he was serving as Minister of Education and Works.[4] In 1969 he was granted the chiefly title of Hu'akavameiliku.[5] He served as pro-chancellor of the University of the South Pacific from 1976 - 81, and again from 2000 - 2006.[6]
He served as deputy prime minister for over 20 years.[7] He retired from politics in 2000.[8] Following the he was appointed to the National Committee for Political Reform which recommended a transition to democracy.[9]
Death[]
On 3 December 2008, he was killed in a car accident when his car struck a mound of rocks.[10]
Family[]
His son Siaosi Sovaleni is the current Prime Minister of Tonga.[5]
References[]
- ^ a b "Pasifika writings launched". Massey University. 12 March 2007. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Educational reorganization for national development in Tonga. WorldCat. OCLC 225662813. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ "People". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 39, no. 3. 1 March 1968. p. 117. Retrieved 19 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Ministers agree to build up and improve Pacific aviation". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 40, no. 10. 1 October 1969. p. 157. Retrieved 19 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b admin (2021-01-27). "Chiefly title Hu'akavameiliku bestowed on Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni". FĀNGONGO Media Watch. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ "PRO-CHANCELLORS". University of the South Pacific. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Latu, Kalino (2014-11-30). "Independents have the right to a place in the race for Tongan premiership". Kaniva Tonga | Largest NZ-based Tongan news service. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ James, Kerry (2002). "Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001: Tonga". The Contemporary Pacific. 14 (1): 236–237. doi:10.1353/cp.2002.0013.
- ^ "HALAPUA TO PRESENT TONGA REFORM PROPOSAL TO KING". Pacific Islands Report. 1 September 2006. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021.
- ^ "Tonga loses leading scholar, Dr Langi Kavaliku". Matangitonga. 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- 1939 births
- 2008 deaths
- Harvard University alumni
- Alumni of the University of Cambridge
- Victoria University of Wellington alumni
- Tongan academics
- Deputy Prime Ministers of Tonga
- Government ministers of Tonga
- Members of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga
- Road incident deaths in Tonga
- University of the South Pacific faculty
- Oceanian politician stubs
- Tongan people stubs