By Katalina Siasau
King Tupou VI has appointed Lord Fakafanua (40) as the 20th Prime Minister of Tonga. The Royal Warrant of Appointment was presented during a private audience attended by the Prime Minister's family and his parliamentary supporters, at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa, this afternoon, 18 December 2025.
Following the Royal Appointment and an official photo session, the press was invited inside the Palace conference room for a media briefing.
When asked by Matangi Tonga about his audience with the King, the Prime Minister responded that certain matters remained confidential between His Majesty and the Prime Minister.
“I was offered well-wishes from the Throne. Like many other audiences held with His Majesty, there are certain matters that His Majesty is intending solely for the Prime Minister," he said.
Lord Fakafanua (Noble's Representative, Ha'apai 1) won a secret ballot (16-10) on Monday, when elected Members of Parliament met to elect the Prime Minister Designate.
When questioned by Matangi Tonga regarding the fairness of the secret ballot, which means that constituents have no right to know how their elected representatives voted, the Prime Minister declined to name the individual Members who supported him or the few Noble's Representatives who did not support him.
“I’m not gonna answer who the nobles are, because it's secret for a reason. The secret ballot is what is stipulated in the Constitution, until such time, the Constitution is amended if there is appetite for amendment, we will still follow by the Constitution, and that is to elect the Prime Minister by secret ballot,” the Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua said.
The press was instructed to direct questions only to the Prime Minister.
Today's Appointment was attended by ten People's Representives, and all but three of the Noble's Representatives.
At the Press briefing in the Palace conference room, a former Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku sat next to the new Prime Minister. The former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi was seated to the Prime Minister's right, beside Lord Tu'iha'angana, the newly elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Among the People's Representatives today was the newly re-elected Semisi Sika, whose signature was on the former PM Dr Aisake Eke’s nomination letter, as read in Parliament.
The only elected woman MP, Fane Fituafe (PR Tongatapu 6) attended.
New Cabinet
Taking questions from reporters, PM Lord Fakafanua said that he was currently finalizing the new Cabinet list, and hoped to have ministers sworn in before Christmas.
However, he made it clear that the Crown Prince would retain his roles as Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
“The Crown Prince will continue as Minister for His Majesty Armed Forces and Foreign Affairs while for the rest of the Ministers, we are still to complete the list and hope to have them sworn in before Christmas," he said.
He noted that he was considering all 26 members, including those who did not support him, and he would choose the "best". The criteria included "loyalty.”
“Family’
Lord Fakafanua invited his parliamentary supporters, including ten People’s Representatives and some of the Nobles, including Lord Tu’iha’angana, Lord Ma’afu, and HSH Prince Kalaniuvalu Fotofili to the Palace today.
He called his supporters “family.”
“They are an extension to my family, those here in this meeting," he said.
Passport investment
The Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua noted that his government will consider a proposal for a passport investment scheme, a topic that was brought to attention during the special meeting of elected members on Monday.
“This is a proposal, and on the merits of the proposal, my government will review it and it still has to go through the appropriate processes in terms of public consultation, regulatory amendments and, of course, there has to be debate in the House. But as a proposal, it's still a proposal, and I cannot comment further on the future decisions. So, there is not much to discuss, because there isn't anything to discuss until there is time at that point, we will be transparent and follow the due processes allowed by the rules and procedures of Parliament and, of course, the people of Tonga will have to be consulted extensively because they have a great interest on this topic. We will always act in the national interest,” he said.
Outside Palace grounds
After the private audience, the King and Lord Fakafanua were joined by their family for a photo session with the press outside, in front of the Palace.
Family members included the Prime Minister's wife, Lady (Fane) Fakafanua, his brother Hon. Fakaola Mei Langi, his cousins, Lord Ma'afu and HSH Prince Kalaniuvalu Fotofili, his sister the Crown Princess HRH Sinaitakala Tuku'aho, and his niece, Princess Nanasipau'u Eliana.
The Royal Warrant of Appointment was made in accordance with Clause 50A (1) of the Constitution of Tonga.
