'Alisi Numia Taumoepeau KC will be serving as interim Ombudsman for four-months, effective 18 February, following the retirement of the current Ombudsman. 

A former Minister of Justice and MP, she took her oath on the morning session of the Legislative Assembly on 9 February.

The Ombudsman, 'Aisea Taumoepeau SC (husband of 'Alisi) will retire on 18 February, when he reaches retirement age of 72 years in accordance with the Ombudsman Act. He became Tonga's first Ombudsman, when the office of the Ombudsman gained a Constitutional status on 11 August 2021.

Parliament reported that Section 3 of the Ombudsman Act stated that in the event of a vacant post, the Speaker with consent of the Legislative Assembly appoints a person to temporarily perform the duties of the Ombudsman.

The endorsement letter from the Lord Speaker Fakanu was read and discussed in Parliament. The interim appointment was discussed before it was approved by the House 20-1 vote.

The Ombudsman also submittted a letter to Parliament thanking the Speaker and the Legislative Assembly for trusting him and all the support provided to ensure the independence of the Ombudsman Office, while, at the same time promoting good governance and the rule of law to ensure effective public service delivery for Tonga and its people.

‘Alisi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ombudsman Office.

She was the first woman Solicitor General and Attorney General of Tonga, first woman Cabinet Minister and a former Justice Minister.

In August 2020, she was appointed as the King’s Counsel with 40-years of service in the legal profession among other milestones. She holds a Bachelor of Law and a Master of Law (LLM) with Honours from Wellington’s Victoria University, and is a Barrister and Solicitor of New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the vacant position for Ombudsman is being advertised.