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Toke Talagi

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The Honourable
Sir Toke Talagi
KNZM
Premier of Niue
In office
19 June 2008 – 11 June 2020
Governor-GeneralAnand Satyanand
Jerry Mateparae
Patsy Reddy
Preceded byYoung Vivian
Succeeded byDalton Tagelagi
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
19 June 2008 – 11 June 2020
PremierHimself
Preceded byYoung Vivian
Succeeded byDalton Tagelagi
Minister of Finance
In office
1 May 2002 – 16 May 2005
PremierYoung Vivian
Succeeded byYoung Vivian
Member of the Niue Assembly
for Common roll
In office
19 March 1999 – 30 May 2020
Personal details
Born
Toke Tufukia Talagi

(1951-01-09)9 January 1951
Alofi, Niue
Died15 July 2020(2020-07-15) (aged 69)
Alofi, Niue
Political partyIndependent
SpouseEmeline Fifitaloa
EducationNelson College
Massey University

Sir Toke Tufukia Talagi KNZM (/ˈtoʊkə ˈtɑːlʌŋi/ TOH-kə TAH-lung-ee; 9 January 1951[1] – 15 July 2020)[2] was a Niuean politician, diplomat, and statesman. He served as Premier of Niue from 2008 to 2020.

In 1999, he was elected to the Niue Assembly as an Independent. He was elected premier in the 2008 general election. During his tenure as premier, he was also Minister of Foreign Affairs. He unsuccessfully ran for a fifth-term in 2020 and was subsequently replaced by Dalton Tagelagi. Prior to becoming Premier, Talagi was Minister of Finance from 2002 until 2005.

In the 2017 New Year Honours, Talagi was appointed Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM).

Early life

[edit]

Talagi was born in Alofi and was educated at Tufukia School in Niue and Nelson College in New Zealand.[3] He studied at Massey University in Palmerston North, where he completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science.[1] While there, he was elected president of the Pacific Island Students Association and organised protests against nuclear testing and racial discrimination.[4] He married his wife, and they had their first child.[5]

On returning to Niue he worked as a livestock development officer.[6] In 1977 he became a member of the Alofi south Village Council.[7] He later became president of the Niue Public Service Association,[8] and from 1981 to 1984 he was Niue's first Consul General in Auckland.[9][10][11][12] On his return to Niue he was appointed Director for Niue's Economic Affairs Office, and was responsible for major infrastructure development.[1][13][14] After leaving the public service he became an airline and shipping agent.[15] In 1992, he received a heart transplant, and spent the next several years living in New Zealand.[16] In 1998 he became president of the Niue Rugby Football Union.[17][18]

Political career

[edit]

Talagi ran unsuccessfully for a common roll seat in the 1996 Niuean general election.[19] He was elected to the Niue Assembly in the 1999 election and was immediately appointed an associate Minister with responsibility for economic development and civil aviation in the Cabinet of Sani Lakatani.[20] In October 1999 he resigned his Ministerial position over Lakatani's plans to establish an airline, and submitted a motion of no confidence against him.[21] He spent the remainder of the term as a member of the opposition.

Following the 2002 election he was appointed Minister of Finance and Tourism in the Cabinet of Young Vivian.[22] In July of that year he was relieved of the Tourism portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle.[23] He was later appointed Deputy Prime Minister.[24]

As Finance Minister he was responsible for managing the recovery from Cyclone Heta and was the subject of public criticism over the distribution of aid and allocation of new houses.[25] As a result, he narrowly missed out on a common roll seat at the 2005 election, falling two votes behind Maihetoe Hekau in provisional results.[26] The final result showed an exact tie,[27] and Talagi was declared elected after his name was drawn from a hat.[28] He was subsequently dropped from Cabinet.[29]

Premier

[edit]
Talagi with his eventual successor Dalton Tagelagi in May 2010

Talagi was re-elected at the 2008 election, topping the common roll in what was seen as a vote for change.[30] He was elected Premier on 19 June 2008, defeating Young Vivian by fourteen votes to five, with one abstaining.[31] As Premier, he introduced a new consumption tax to balance the budget,[32] established diplomatic relations with China,[33] and attempted to negotiate with New Zealand for greater control of aid funding.[34] When those negotiations were unsuccessful, he used the threat of seeking Chinese assistance to leverage a better deal.[35][36] A major driver of his policies was to develop Niue and gain greater economic independence from New Zealand.[37]

Talagi in 2011

In August 2008 Talagi became chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. At the 2008 Forum meeting in Niue he used the position to focus on climate change and the need for new elections in Fiji following the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.[38][39] The latter led to a diplomatic dispute with Fiji, calls for the Forum to split,[40] and in May 2009, the suspension of Fiji from the Forum.[41] At the next forum meeting in 2009 Talagi suggested that Fijians should take responsibility for their destiny and rise up against the military regime.[42]

In May 2009, Talagi co-chaired the 5th Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting (PALM) with then Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in Hokkaido.[43][44]

Talagi was re-elected at the 2011 election and re-elected as Premier.[45] In his second term Talagi reformed the tax system[46] and began free-trade negotiations with China.[47] He continued to push for stronger international action on climate change[48][49] and announced an ambition for Niue to become 100% solar powered.[50] In November 2011 Niue became a founding member of the Polynesian Leaders Group, a regional grouping intended to cooperate on a variety of issues including culture and language, education, responses to climate change, and trade and investment.[51] In 2013 he won a significant shift from the New Zealand government on superannuation portability, allowing Niueans to collect New Zealand superannuation in Niue.[52] In early 2014 a proposal by Talagi to house asylum seekers for Australia as part of its Pacific Solution was rejected by the Niuean Assembly.[53]

He was again re-elected Premier after the 2014 election.[54] In his third term Niue planned to privatise its health system[55] and celebrated 40 years of self-government.[56] Talagi's foreign policy continued to focus on climate change, and he began a push for membership in the United Nations.[57] In 2015 he became the first Niuean leader to meet the Queen.[17] In 2016 he was medevaced to New Zealand twice for medical treatment.[58][59]

In 2017 he announced he would seek a fourth term as Premier, saying that he had "unfinished business" to attend to.[60] He was re-elected at the 2017 election and again elected Premier.[61] In 2017 he again had an extended stay in Auckland for medical treatment, and as a result missed the budget vote.[62] His fourth term also saw disputes with New Zealand over pension portability[63] and the government accounts.[64] In 2019 he spent several more months in Auckland recovering from illness,[65] and on his return his brother Billy Talagi continued as acting Premier.[66] The term was capped off by Niue losing control of its internet domain,[67] and a damning audit report into the government's finances.[68]

Despite these setbacks, Talagi announced he would seek a fifth term as Premier in the 2020 election.[69] He kept a low profile during the campaign,[70] and failed to win a seat.[71][72] He was replaced as Premier by Dalton Tagelagi.[73]

Death

[edit]

On 9 July 2020, Talagi was again medevaced to New Zealand for treatment of a long-term illness.[74] He died at the Niue Foou Hospital in Alofi on 15 July 2020, shortly after returning to Niue.[2][75] After his death, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that Talagi would be "remembered for his lifelong commitment to safeguarding Niue’s future security and prosperity".[2]

Talagi was given a state funeral at the Alofi Ekalesia church on 28 July 2020.[76]

Recognition

[edit]

In the 2017 New Year Honours, Talagi was appointed Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM).[13] He received his knighthood from New Zealand Governor General Patsy Reddy in March 2017, who flew to Niue for the ceremony.[77] New Zealand Post marked the occasion with a commemorative stamp issue.[9]

In November 2019 Talagi released an autobiography, Niue Rising.[78]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "THE HON TOKE TUFUKIA TALAGI". Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Sir Toke Talagi, longtime premier of Niue, dies". RNZ. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  3. ^ Talagi 2019, p 3
  4. ^ Talagi 2019, p 7
  5. ^ Talagi 2019, pp 7, 8
  6. ^ Talagi 2019, p 9
  7. ^ Talagi 2019, p 22
  8. ^ Talagi 2019, p 11
  9. ^ a b "The Honourable Sir Toke Talagi". New Zealand Post. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  10. ^ Talagi 2019, p 12-13
  11. ^ "Niue opens Auck. office". The Press. 24 June 1981. p. 7. Retrieved 5 May 2023 – via Papers Past.
  12. ^ "People". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 52, no. 3. 1 March 1981. p. 39. Retrieved 5 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ a b "New Year Honours 2017 – Citations For Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit". DPMC. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  14. ^ Talagi 2019, pp 14–16
  15. ^ Talagi 2019, p 20
  16. ^ Talagi 2019, pp 58–60
  17. ^ a b "Niue leader meets the Queen". RNZ. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  18. ^ Talagi 2019, p 48
  19. ^ Talagi 2019, p 22
  20. ^ Stephen Levine (Spring 2000). "Political Review: Niue" (PDF). The Contemporary Pacific. 12 (1): 231–236. doi:10.1353/cp.2000.0020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  21. ^ "Vote of No Confidence in Niue Premier Lakatani and His Cabinet Planned". Pacific Islands Report. 29 October 1999. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  22. ^ "Sani Lakatani remains near the centre of power in Niue". RNZ. 6 May 2002. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  23. ^ "Niue premier takes over tourism portfolio". RNZ. 15 July 2002. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  24. ^ "Niue profile – Leader". BBC. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  25. ^ "Amid Wreckage, Niue Politicos Jockey For 2005". Pacific Islands Report. 12 April 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  26. ^ "Provisional election results in Niue indicate the Finance Minister will lose his Common Roll seat". RNZ. 2 May 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  27. ^ "Two Niue seats still to be declared after re-count produces tie". RNZ. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  28. ^ "Uncertainty ends as Niue's former finance ministers regains seat after draw". RNZ. 9 May 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  29. ^ "Niue's Premier drops former finance minister from Cabinet". RNZ. 16 May 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  30. ^ "Longtime Niue MP says election turnover sign of mood for a change". RNZ. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  31. ^ "Niue Has New Premier". Pacific Islands Report. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  32. ^ "Niue premier says consumption tax will boost revenue". RNZ. 13 February 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Niue set for formal ties with China". RNZ. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  34. ^ "NZ and Niue discuss ways to improve how aid money is used". RNZ. 9 October 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  35. ^ "PM faces blunt threat from Niue". New Zealand Herald. 9 July 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  36. ^ "Niue welcomes changed New Zealand approach". RNZ. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  37. ^ Talagi 2019, pp 45–47
  38. ^ "Niue Premier says climate change and Fiji elections main topics at Forum meeting". RNZ. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  39. ^ "Forum considers suspending Fiji if it reneges on election commitments". RNZ. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  40. ^ "Forum chair Talagi criticised by Fiji regime over post-coup stance". RNZ. 19 January 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  41. ^ "Chair of Pacific Islands Forum says Fiji has been suspended". RNZ. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  42. ^ "Niue head urges Fijians to 'rise up'". New Zealand Herald. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  43. ^ "Tongan PM to attend Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting in Japan". Matangi Tonga. 15 May 2009. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  44. ^ "Japan increases aid to Pacific after PALM meeting in Hokkaido". RNZ. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  45. ^ "Talagi re-elected as Niue premier". RNZ. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  46. ^ "Niue plans changes to tax system". RNZ. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  47. ^ "Niue cautious about economic partnerships with China". RNZ. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  48. ^ "Updates From COP17: Niue Urges World Leaders To Leave Legacy". Scoop. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  49. ^ "Niue premier's optimism after climate change talks tempered by 'slow' timetable". RNZ. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  50. ^ "Niue aspires to become fully solar powered". RNZ. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  51. ^ John Andrews (19 September 2011). "NZ may be invited to join proposed 'Polynesian Triangle' ginger group". Scoop. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  52. ^ "Niue Premier says NZ superannuation changes don't go far enough". RNZ. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  53. ^ "Niue rejects plan to house asylum seekers". RNZ. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  54. ^ "Niue Premier re-elected". RNZ. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  55. ^ "Niue government confirms hospital sale plan". RNZ. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  56. ^ "Niue celebrates 40 years of self-govt". RNZ. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  57. ^ "Niue to seek UN membership". RNZ. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  58. ^ "Niue leader recovering in Auckland after medivac". RNZ. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  59. ^ "Niue leader in NZ for medical treatment". RNZ. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  60. ^ "Sir Toke's 'unfinished business' includes UN seat". RNZ. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  61. ^ "Sir Toke Talagi to serve fourth term as Niue's premier". South Pacific News. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  62. ^ "Niue leader extends Auckland medical stay". RNZ. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  63. ^ "Talagi says NZ pension discriminates against Niueans". RNZ. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  64. ^ Mackenzie Smith (11 October 2018). "NZ warns Niue over revenue shortfalls, budget blowouts". RNZ. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  65. ^ "Growing concern in Niue over premier's absence – opposition MP". RNZ. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  66. ^ "Niue's Premier returns to island but not to office". RNZ. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  67. ^ "Niue loses a legal battle for internet domain". RNZ. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  68. ^ "Niue watchdog committee addresses damning audit". RNZ. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  69. ^ "Niue Premier announces attempt at fifth term". RNZ. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  70. ^ "Niue Premier maintains low profile during election campaign". RNZ. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  71. ^ "Premier of Niue loses seat in election". RNA. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  72. ^ Ruci Farrell (31 May 2020). "End of an era for Sir Toke Talagi". PMN News. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  73. ^ "Dalton Tagelagi voted in as new Premier of Niue". RNZ. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  74. ^ "Former Niue premier medevaced to New Zealand". RNZ. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  75. ^ "Former Premier of Niue Sir Toke Talagi dies aged 69". Tagata Pasifika. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  76. ^ "Life of late Premier, Sir Toke, celebrated at State Funeral". RNZ. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  77. ^ "Arise Sir Toke Talagi". RNZ. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  78. ^ "Sir Toke Takagi writes biography titled 'Niue Rising'". TV Niue. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2020.

Bibliography

[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by Premier of Niue
2008–2020 		Succeeded by
Minister of Foreign Affairs
2008–2020
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