Hon Eseta Fusitu’a

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Hon Eseta Fusitu’a

Party: N/A

Term: N/A

Electorate: Appointed member of Parliament

Province: N/A

Political Status: Minister of Informaton and Communications

Biographical data

Hon. ‘Eseta Fusitu’a, is the first Tongan woman to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree, which she did from Auckland University in 1964. She went on to obtain a NZ Diploma of Teaching Certificate in 1965. In 1976 she graduated with a M.A. in History from the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. She joined the Civil Service as an Assistant Teacher at Tonga High School from 1965 to 1967, before joining the staff of St. Edmunds College in Canberra as Senior History Teacher in 1973 until 1981. In 1982 she served as Deputy Secretary to His Majesty before being appointed as Acting Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education from 1983 to 1990. In 1990 she was appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office and promoted to Deputy Chief Secretary and Deputy Secretary to Cabinet in 1992. In 2001 she was appointed Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, a post she held until her retirement from the civil service in 2008.

In 30 April 2009, the Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele, announced that, His Majesty in Privy Council, has assented to the appointment of Mrs. ‘Eseta Fuafolau Vakapuna ‘a Ngu Fulivai Fusitu’a as Minister for Information and Communication. Hon Fusitu’a’s term came to an end at the conclusion of the parliamentary term in November 2010.

Educational Background:
1964     BA Degree from Auckland University (first Tongan Woman to gain University Degree)
1965     NZ Diploma of Teaching Certificate
1976     MA Degree, ANU, Australia

Professional Histrory:
1965 – 1967 Assistant Teacher, Tonga High School
1973 – 1981 Senior History Teacher, St. Edmunds College, Canberra
1982 – 1982 Deputy Secretary to His Majesty
1982 – 1990 Acting Senior Education Officer, Ministry of Education
1990            Deputy Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office
1990            Acting Secretary to Tonga Traditions Committee (holding Deputy Secretary post at PMO at the same time)
1992 – 2001 Deputy Chief Secretary & Deputy Secretary to Cabinet
2001 – 2008 Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet
2009            Alternate/Deputy Chair – Constitutional & Electoral Commission
2009 -2010  Minister of Communications

This information is taken from the Tonga Government Portal: http://www.pmo.gov.to/about-mic/ministers-corner/1483-ministers-profile.