The People’s Representative for the Niua 17 Constituency, Hon. Lataifaingata’a Tangimana, will remain in Parliament for now pending a decision by the Court of Appeal on a move to unseat him.
The member was expected to be unseated at a meeting of the Legislative Assembly set for 27 April. However, next week's meeting has been cancelled after the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution certificate pending an appeal.
The development follows a series of legal and parliamentary steps triggered by an election petition case, Finau v Tangimana (CV54/2025). On 9 April 2026, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly received a certificate from Hon. Justice Garlick KC confirming that the Supreme Court had declared Tangimana’s election void.
Based on that certification, Members of Parliament were notified on 13 April that the Legislative Assembly would convene on 27 April. The sole purpose of the was to unseat Tangimana as the elected representative for Niua 17.
The meeting was cancelled after a subsequent communication from Justice Garlick. In a letter received on 20 April, the judge conveyed a ruling dated 11 April granting a stay of execution of the earlier certificate.
The stay effectively suspends the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s decision while the matter is under appeal. Tangimana has filed an appeal, which will be heard by the Court of Appeal when it convenes in July 2026.
As a result of the stay order, the Legislative Assembly will not proceed with any action to remove Tangimana from his seat until the appeal process is concluded.
The update was issued on 24 April 2026 by the Office of the Legislative Assembly in Nuku’alofa.
