The Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, this afternoon announced his new 12-member Cabinet and the two Governors for Vava‘u and Ha‘apai.

While most of the Cabinet are chosen from elected members of parlliament, there is also one appointed Minister, a woman, Hon. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, who becomes the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Tourism.

The Prime Minister has kept four major portfolios under himself, taking on the police and the armed forces as well as education.

There is only one noble in the Cabinet, Hon. Lord Tu‘i‘afitu, the new Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

A new Governor of Ha'apai, was named as Pita Faiva Taufatofua of Kotu and Tongoleleka, who succeeds Viliami Manuopangai Hingano; while Lord Fakatulolo has been re-appointed as Governor of Vava’u.

The Prime Minister presented his recommendations to King Tupou VI in an audience on Monday. The king appointed the new Ministers of Government, and approved the Governors yesterday, 28 December.

The Prime Minister's Office stated that the PM presented the letters of appointments to all of the Cabinet Minsters, including the new Governor of Ha'apai, today. They held the first Cabinet meeting and took their ministerial oaths

The appointments released by the Prime Minister's Office today are as follows:

1. Hon. Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni
   • Prime Minister;
   • Minister for Education and Training;
   • Minister for Police, Fire Services and Emergency Services; and
   • Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
2. Hon. Poasi Mataele Tei
   • Deputy Prime Minister;
   • Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change (MEIDECC); and
   • Minister for Public Enterprises (MPEs).
3. Hon. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu
   • Minister for Justice and Prisons.
4. Hon. Tatafu Toma Moeaki
   • Minister for Finance and Minister for Revenue and Customs.
5. Hon. Lord Tu‘i‘afitu
   • Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR).
6. Hon. Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu
   • Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Tourism.
7. Hon. Saia Ma’u Piukala
   • Minister for Health (MOH).
8. Hon. Viliami Uasike Latu
   • Minister for Trade and Economic Development.
9. Hon. Viliami Manuopangai Hingano
   • Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF).
10. Hon. Semisi Tauelangi Fakahau
    • Minister for Fisheries.
11. Hon. Sione Sangster Saulala
    • Minister for Internal Affairs (MIA).
12. Hon. Sevenitini Toumoua
    • Minister for Infrastructure (MOI).