ʻUliti Uata
ʻUliti Uata | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 25 January 2011 – 25 June 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō |
| Preceded by | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva |
| Succeeded by | Tonga Tuʻiʻafitu |
| Member of the Tongan Parliament for Haʻapai 13 | |
| In office 25 November 2010 – 27 November 2014 | |
| Preceded by | none (seat created) |
| Succeeded by | Veivosa Taka |
| Member of Parliament for Haʻapai | |
| In office 4 February 1993 – 25 November 2010 | |
| Succeeded by | none (seat disestablished) |
| In office 1975–1980 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 August 1936 |
| Party | Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands |
ʻUliti Uata (born 24 August 1936[1]) is a Tongan politician. He is a member of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement and the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.[2]
Biography
He was initially a businessman, running several businesses including "inter-islands ferries, general store, tourism, and others", until he entered politics and "divested himself" of his businesses so as to focus on his political career and on his family.[1] His wife, Luisa Mataele Uata, is a distinguished baker and successful businesswoman. His grandson is American former professional football player Loni Fangupo.[3]
Uata was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga in 1975, and served as a People's Representative until 1980. After a break from politics, he contested the 1993 election and won the seat of Ha'apai. He has been re-elected in every subsequent election.[4]
In 2007, Uata was one of several pro-democracy MPs charged with sedition over speeches given before the 2006 Nuku'alofa riots.[5] The charges were dismissed in September 2009.[6]
Uata was re-elected for an eighth term in the 2010 election, for the new single-seat constituency of Haʻapai 13, and nominated to the post of Minister of Health on 25 January 2011, following ʻAkilisi Pohiva's resignation from that position.[7] In late June 2012, Uata -along with two other ministers- resigned from the Cabinet, so as to support a motion of no confidence tabled by his party (DPFI) against the government.[8] He was succeeded as Minister for Health by Lord Tuʻiʻafitu.[9]
References
- 1 2 "Hon. 'Uliti Uata appointed as Minister for Health". Tonga Government Portal. Prime Minister's Office, Nuku'alofa. 27 January 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
- ↑ "MP ʻUliti Uata tipped as new Health Minister", Taimi Media Network, January 22, 2010
- ↑ Sikahema, Vai (16 September 2011). "Vai's View: Vai's View: BYU-Utah game takes on special meaning for Uliti Uata, Tongan dignitary, grandfather". Deseret News. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ Biography on the website of the Tongan Parliament
- ↑ "Ha'apai parliamentarian charged with sedition". Matangi Tonga. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ↑ "Five acquitted on charges of seditious conspiracy in Tonga". RNZ. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ↑ "New Minister of Health", Matangi Tonga, 26 Jan 2011
- ↑ "Three Cabinet Ministers in Tonga resign ahead of confidence motion". RNZ. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ↑ "PM's new Cabinet short of ministers", Matangi Tonga, 9 July 2012