From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 1, March 2000.

When Hon. Baron Vaea of Houma retired on December 3, he had clocked up 54 years of service for the Tongan government.

Baron Vaea had a distinguished career. A second world war veteran, he joined the Tongan Civil Service in January 1945. He has been a Governor for Ha‘apai, High Commissioner for Tonga in London, and became Tonga’s first Minister of Labour, Commerce, and Industry. Baron Vaea was responsible for the setting up of Tonga’s tourist industry, and the construction of the Small Industries Centre. When he was appointed as Prime Minister on 22 August 1998, Baron Vaea continued as the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, a portfolio he had held since 1975, as well continuing as Minister of Fisheries and Minister of Marine and Ports.