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The first inhabitants of Tuvalu were Polynesians,so the origins of the people of Tuvalu can be traced to the spread of humans out of Southeast Asia,from Taiwan,via Melanesia and across the Pacific islands of Polynesia.
The politics of Tuvalu takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy,whereby the monarch is the head of state,represented by the governor-general,while the prime minister is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government.
The Gilbert and Ellice Islands in the Pacific Ocean were part of the British Empire from 1892 to 1976. They were a protectorate from 1892 to 12 January 1916,and then a colony until 1 January 1976,and were administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories (BWPT) until they became independent. The history of GEIC was mainly characterized by phosphate mining on Ocean Island. In October 1975,these islands were divided by force of law into two separate colonies,and they became independent nations shortly thereafter:the Ellice Islands became Tuvalu in 1978,and the Gilbert Islands with Banaba became part of Kiribati in 1979.
Sir Toaripi Lauti was a Tuvaluan politician who served as chief minister of the Colony of Tuvalu (1975–78),as the first prime minister following Tuvalu's independence (1978–1981) and governor-general of Tuvalu (1990–1993). He was married to Sualua Tui.
Nui is an atoll and one of nine districts of the Pacific Ocean state of Tuvalu. It has a land area of 3.37 km2 and a population of 610.
Tuvalu elects a legislature on a national level. The Parliament of Tuvalu has 16 members,elected for a four-year term in 8 double-seat constituencies. Tuvalu is a de facto non-partisan democracy since it does not have political parties. The political system is based on personal alliances and loyalties derived from clan and family connections. It does tend to have both a distinct government and a distinct opposition. The 16 members of the current parliament are elected from eight two-seat constituencies via plurality block voting.
Sir Tomu Malaefone Sione,,was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He worked as a journalist from 1962 to 1968,and held the post of radio announcer in the Broadcasting and Information Department of the administration of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony (GEIC). He was the head of the southern Niutao clan. He was married to Segali.
The Parliament of Tuvalu is the unicameral national legislature of Tuvalu. The place at which the parliament sits is called the Vaiaku maneapa. The maneapa on each island is an open meeting place where the chiefs and elders deliberate and make decisions.
The House of Assembly is the sole chamber of the Parliament of Kiribati. Since 2016,it has 45 members,44 elected for a four-year term in 23 single-seat and multi-seat constituencies and 1 non-elected delegate from the Banaban community on Rabi Island in Fiji. From 1979 to 2016,the Attorney general was an ex officio member of the legislature,until a change of the constitution modified this provision.
Naama Maheu Latasi,Lady Latasi,OBE was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. She stood for election in the constituency of Nanumea in 1989 and was elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu. Lady Latasi served as Minister of Health,Education and Community Services in the first Government of Prime Minister of Tuvalu Bikenibeu Paeniu. She was the first female member of parliament in Tuvaluan history. An amazing feat,that served to both pave the way for other aspiring female members of parliament today,but propelled the movement of gender equality. She served in Parliament from 1989 to 1997. Although she was not re-elected in the first 1993 general election but regained her seat in parliament in the second 1993 general election.
The Cabinet of Tuvalu is the executive branch of the government of Tuvalu.
General elections were held in Tuvalu on 27 August 1977. As there were no political parties,all candidates ran as independents,with Toaripi Lauti who had served as chief minister of the Colony of Tuvalu (1975–78),was elected as the first prime minister following Tuvalu's independence. Voter turnout was 79%.
Alesana Kleis Seluka is medical doctor by profession and is the Chairman of the Public Service Commission of Tuvalu. He represented the constituency of Nui in the Parliament of Tuvalu. He served as the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning from 1996 until 1999,and Minister of Health from 2001 to 2006 and held other Cabinet posts.
General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands on 4 April 1974. All candidates ran as independents.
Christian Martin Kleis (1850–1908),known as Martin Kleis,was born in Denmark and died in the Ellice Islands (Tuvalu). Kleis was the resident trader on Nui in the late 19th century.
Henry Faati Naisali,CMG,AO,OBE was a Tuvaluan politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Tuvalu (1985-1989),Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (1988-1992) and Pro-Chancellor of The University of the South Pacific (1985-1990). He is notable for co-founding the Tuvalu Trust Fund which lead Tuvalu to achieve greater financial autonomy.
Afioga Afoafouvale Misimoa,also known by his European name Harry William Moors,was a Western Samoan businessman and politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly in two spells between 1951 and 1967,and was the first Pacific Islander to become Secretary-General of the South Pacific Commission. He also founded the Samoa Rugby Union.
Bwebwetake Areieta was an I-Kiribati politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly from 1971 until his death,also holding the posts of Member for Social Services and Minister of Communications,Works and Utilities during the 1970s.
Naboua T. Ratieta was an I-Kiribati politician who became the first Chief Minister of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1974. The Ellice Islands separated from the colony the following year,and he remained Chief Minister of the Gilbert Islands until 1978. He also served as an MP from 1968 until his death.
Elia Tavita was a Tuvaluan politician who served as Speaker of Parliament from 1978 to 1981.
References
- 1 2 3 4 Sioe Tui Kleis Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1979, p91
- ↑ Alaima Talu (2010) A quiet revolution: A history of Catholic education and the education of Catholic girls in Kiribati
- ↑ The politics are new, not the economy Pacific Islands Monthly, July 1974, pp12–13
- ↑ Politics in Polynesia, Institute of Pacific Studies, p39
- ↑ Tuvalu talking Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1976, p68
- ↑ "Amin speech" jibe in Tuvalu's House of Assembly Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1977, p15