By Katalina Siasau

A Tongan academic, Dr Mo'ale 'Otunuku of Longomapu won the Vava'u 14 By-election with 709 votes, securing his seat as a new People's Representative in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, today, 28 March, 2024.

The Commissioner and Supervisor of Elections, Pita Vuki announced the results on the local radio tonight, which showed Dr 'Otunuku had a distinct lead over his three fellow candidates.

Sione Fataua Halatanu came in second with 353 votes, Viliami Tinitali Piukala third with 316 votes, and a close 312 votes for Matini Fatanitavake Ma’afu 'o Veikune Tu’itonga Veikune.

These four candidates contested the seat vacated by the former Minister of Health, Dr. Saia Piukala, who resigned on 26 January, to take up new role as the WHO Regional Director for Western Pacific.

Education

Dr 'Otunuku holds a Masters in Education from the University of Auckland. He has a BA in English Libterature & History/Politics from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji, where he was a Fellow in Research & Assessment.

He headed the Institute of Education’s Research and Development Programme, University of the South Pacific. With research publications in classroom assessment and indigenous research methodologies, he has research interests in postgraduate supervision and professional development in classroom assessment and project management for the Institute’s projects in the Pacific region.

He trained as a secondary school teacher and taught in government high schools for many years in Tonga and New Zealand before completing graduate studies at the University of Auckland.

The Vava'u 14 Constituency includes the villages of Pangaimotu, ‘Utulei, ‘Utungake, Talihau, Taoa, Vaimalo, Tefisi, Tu'anuku, Longomapu, Taunga, Kapa, ‘Otea, Falevai, Matamaka, Nuapapu, Lape, Ovaka, Hunga, Holeva, Koloa, Olo'ua, Ofu, and Okoa.