Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu
Member of the Legislative Assembly
Term1975 – 1978
SuccessorPapiloa Foliaki
ConstituencyTongatapu
Born(1948-05-12)12 May 1948
Tonga
Died28 May 2023(2023-05-28) (aged 75)
Auckland, New Zealand
SpouseJosh Liava'a
(m. 1969 - div. 1969)
Kalanivalu-Fotofili
(m. 1970)
IssueKalaniuvalu Fotofili
HouseHouse of Tupou
FatherFatafehi Tuʻipelehake
MotherMelenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune
ReligionMethodist Christian

Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu of Tonga (12 May 1948 – 28 May 2023) was a Tongan royal and politician. In 1975 she was elected to the Legislative Assembly, becoming its first female member.

Biography

Siu’ilikutapu was born in May 1948, the oldest daughter of Prince Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake and his wife Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune.[1][2] She attended the University of Auckland, where in October 1969 she married Josh Liava'a, a policeman.[3] As a result, King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV had her returned to Tonga and annulled the marriage. The following year she married Kalanivalu-Fotofili, a noble.[2]

In 1975 she contested the elections to the Legislative Assembly, and was elected as a people's representative in Tongatapu, becoming the country's first female parliamentarian.[4][5] She remained a member until 1978.[4]

Siuʻilikutapu later became deputy president of the National Women's Organisation and was president of the Langafonua Gallery and Handicrafts Centre.[6][7] In 2018 she became patron of the Tonga Health Society Langimalie Clinic and she also served as patron of Tonga’s first village council, the Lapaha Council.[8]

She lived in Auckland, New Zealand in later life and advocated for the rights of overstayers and disadvantaged Pasifika.[9]

In 2021, when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made a formal apology on behalf of the New Zealand Government for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s, Siuʻilikutapu gave the speech to accept the apology on behalf of the Pasifika community.[10]

Death

Siuʻilikutapu died at Auckland City Hospital on 28 May 2023 aged 75.[11][9] A funeral visitation was held for her in West Auckland, where Princess Angelica Latufuipeka received Sir Michael Jones, Jenny Salesa MP and Māori King Tūheitia. Her body was then flown to Tonga for a state funeral.[10] She will be buried at the Royal Tombs, Mala'ekula, in Nuku'alofa.[9]

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins paid tribute to her, saying she was "a formidable leader and a proud advocate for women".[7]

Honours

National honours

References

  1. ↑ Margaret Hixon (1999) Sālote: Queen of Paradise, p135
  2. 1 2 Married again (by royal consent) Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1970, p33
  3. ↑ Michael Field (2010) Swimming with Sharks p80
  4. 1 2 Ian Christopher Campbell (2001) Island Kingdom: Tonga Ancient and Modern, p281
  5. ↑ Advancing Women’s Representation in Tonga A Woman’s Place is in the House
  6. ↑ Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Auckland Prayer Breakfast
  7. 1 2 Rovoi, Christine (30 May 2023). "'Gracious and heartfelt': Tributes flow for Tonga's Princess Mele". Stuff. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "Tongan Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Passes Away in Auckland Hospital". Samoa Global News. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "Tonga's Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu passes away at 75". RNZ. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Funeral visitation for Tongan Princess held in Auckland". RNZ. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu passes away in Auckland". Matangi Tonga. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
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