His Majesty, King George Tupou V appointed Hon 'Otenifi Afu'alo Matoto today as the Minister for Finance and National Planning. He is currently the Minister for Public Enterprises and Information and he retains those portfolios. His latest appointment is the culmination of 40 years of dedicated service to the Government and People of Tonga.

Hon Afu'alo Matoto started serving the Tonga Government as an Assistant Teacher at Tonga High School in 1968 after obtaining a B.A. from the University of Auckland. In 1970-1971 he studied at the University of Durham. England from where he graduated with a M.A.

He started his long association with the finance and banking sector in Tonga in 1971 when he joined the Ministry of Finance as an Assistant Secretary. During the period 1971 to 1977 he twice acted as Development Officer prior to the establishment of the Central Planning Department.

In 1977 he was appointed as the Secretary of Finance, a position he held until 1983 when he joined the Bank of Tonga as Manager, Development and Planning. He held various managerial positions in the Bank of Tonga until he joined the Tonga Development Bank as Managing Director in 1999. He held this post until September 2006 when he was appointed to Cabinet.

In October 2006, Hon Afu'alo Matoto was appointed by His Late Majesty, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV as Minister for Public Enterprises and in July 2007, the newly created Ministry of Information was added to his portfolio.

Hon Afu'alo Matoto has served as Chairman and as a member of the boards of numerous government agencies, statutory bodies and Committees. He has also served on the executive committees of numerous professional and business associations. He is a keen supporter of all sporting activities especially rugby. He was Treasurer of Tonga Rugby Football Union 1975-82 and Chairman of the TRFU Referees Association from the early 80's to the early 90's. He has also been a member of the Nuku'alofa Rotary Club since 1974 and has served as President for a number of years.

Hon Afu'alo Matoto is an ordained Minister of the Constitutional Free Church of Tonga. He is married to Lavinia and they have two daughters. Ministry of Information, 20/03/08.