New CEO for Ministry of Tourism [1]
Monday, April 17, 2023 - 17:49. Updated on Monday, April 17, 2023 - 17:54.
Viliami 'Alamameita Takau, was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Tourism on 13 April 2023 for a four-year term.
From Ma’ufanga, Tongatapu and Tongoleleka, Hihifo, Ha’apai, Mr Takau takes over from Sione Moala - Mafi who completed his employment contract in February this year. He holds a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. He also holds a New Zealand Institute of Management Diploma in Management and a NZ Diploma in Business from Otago Polytechnic.
He signed a contract with the Government at the Cabinet room, attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Hon. Fekita 'Utoikamanu, the Public Service Commission's Chairman Simione Sefanaia, commissioners, and CEO of PSC. Hewas accompanied by his family,
Viliami's career started in Dunedin, New Zealand as an Accounting Peer Tutor at the Otago Polytechnic from 2001 to 2002, and a House Master at the John McGlashan College in Dunedin, New Zealand from 2005 to 2006. Then in 2007, he was employed as a Financial Advisor for the AUSAID funded Ha’apai Outer Islands Electrification Project in Tonga.
Between the years 2003 to 2012, he served in various managerial roles as a Department Manager for Rebel Sports in New Zealand from 2003 – 2008 and a Manager for Foodstuff South Island Ltd, Dunedin Branch from 2008 to 2012.
He returned to Tonga in 2012 and was employed as an Assistant Group General Manager for the Pacific Retail Ltd. in Tonga, a General Manager for the Leiola Group Ltd. in Tonga from 2012 to 2013, General Manager for HR & Corporate Services of the Pacific Finance & Investment Ltd. in Tonga from 2013 to 2014.
He joined the Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. as their Chief Executive Officer, and in 2016 became a Director of the Tonga Transport Boards (Tonga Airport Ltd, Ports Authority Tonga and Friendly Islands Shipping Agency Ltd) and later became Chief Executive Officer of the Friendly Islands Shipping Agency Ltd.
Viliami's most recent role was General Manager for the Tonga Tourism Authority from June 2021.