Lagaʻaia Tiatuau Tufuga
Lagaʻaia Tiatuau Tufuga | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Women, Community and Social Development | |
| In office 15 January 2025 – 16 September 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa |
| Preceded by | Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioʻo |
| Succeeded by | Moefaʻauouo Julius Tafunai |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Palauli No. 3 | |
| In office 9 April 2021 – 3 June 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Tuifaʻasisina Misa Lisati |
| Succeeded by | Aiolupotea Misa Tony Aiolupo |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Samoa Uniting Party (since 2025) |
| Other political affiliations | Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (until 2025) |
Lagaʻaia Tiaituau Tufuga (born c. 1955)[1] is a Samoan politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the Samoa Uniting Party.
Tufuga is from the village of Faʻala in the Palauli district. He worked as a farmer before entering politics.[1] He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the 2021 Samoan general election.[1][2] On 28 July 2021 he was appointed Associate Minister of Public Enterprises.[3][4]
On 15 January 2025 he was appointed Minister of Women, Community and Social Development following the sacking of Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo.[5]
Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa called a snap election following the government's budget defeat in parliament on 27 May 2025.[6] Tufuga ran as a Samoa Uniting Party candidate at the 2025 election but lost his seat to Aiolupotea Misa Tony Aiolupo of FAST.[7] Tufuga's tenure as minister concluded on 16 September, and he was succeeded by Moefaʻauouo Julius Tafunai.[8]
References
- ^ a b c Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (14 April 2021). "Laga'aia conquers in Palauli No. 3 race". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ "FAST Secures 25 Seats and Takes Savaii by Storm". Samoa Global News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (28 July 2021). "Cabinet announce eleven Associate Ministers". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (1 August 2021). "Associate Minister accepts God's calling". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ "New Cabinet Ministers take oath". Samoa Observer. 15 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
- ^ Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai (10 June 2025). "Samoa head of state issues official election writ". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ Bethel Peato-Ale (1 September 2025). "Lagaaia loses Palauli No.3 seat to Aiolupotea". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ^ "Laaulialemalietoa announces his first Cabinet as Samoa's Prime Minister". Samoa Global News. 16 September 2025. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.