The Minister of Fisheries (Tongatapu 8 People's Representative) Hon. Semisi Fakahau (74) passed away in Tongatapu this week.

Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku announced his death in Parliament this morning, 27 October. 

He said it was with profound sadness to announce the Minister's death, a loss deeply felt by Cabinet, Government and country. He extended their heartfelt condolences to his widow and family.

Speaker Lord Fakafanua also extended Parliament's condolences before MPs observed five minutes of silence in respect.

Meanwhile, other reports stated that Fakahau who passed away in Tongatapu is understood to have travelled to New Zealand for medical treatment earlier this year, before returning to Tonga.

He is the second Cabinet Minister to have passed away this year, after the late Minister of Agriculture, Viliami Hingano.

Fakahau was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga at the 2014 General Election. He was then appointed by the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva, as Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries.

In January 2019, his portfolio was split and he retained Fisheries.

In the 2021 General Election, he was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly and was appointed to his Ministerial portfolio, by the current Prime Minister in December of the same year.

Prior to politics, Fakahau was the Head of Government's Fisheries Division for many years.

He was an fisheries expert having worked as consultant for Tonga and Pacific Island Countries, as well as an adviser to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, United Kingdom.