Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell Explained

Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell
Office4:	Minister for Sports & Recreation
Primeminister4:	Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Term Start4:	1 October 2023
Predecessor4:	Office established
Constituency Mp15:	Safata No. 2
Parliament15:	Samoan
Term Start15:	26 November 2015
Predecessor15:	Nonu Lose Niumata
Party:	Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi

Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell (born ~1968)^[1] is a Samoan politician and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa. He is a member of the FAST Party.

Laumatiamanu was educated at Saint Joseph’s College and is a former police officer.^[1] He later worked for the Samoa Shipping Corporation.^[1] He first ran for election at the 2016 Samoan general election as a candidate for the Human Rights Protection Party.^[2] He switched allegiance to the FAST Party to contest the 2021 election, but lost to Nonu Lose Niumata. He subsequently lodged an election petition, resulting in Nonu resigning in a settlement.^[3] Both candidates contested the resulting by-election, with Laumatiamanu winning by over 100 votes.^[4]

In a cabinet reshuffle on 6 September 2023 he was appointed Minister for Sports & Recreation.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Farmer, former cop eyes Safata East Constituency . Samoa Observer . Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi . 24 August 2020 . 5 December 2021.
2. Web site: Laumatiamanu ready for rematch . Samoa Observer . Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi . 7 November 2021 . 5 December 2021.
3. Web site: Former MP resigns; Safata No. 2 back to polls . Samoa Observer . Soli Wilson . 14 July 2021 . 5 December 2021.
4. Web site: Laumatiamanu rises in Safata No. 2 battle . Samoa Observer . Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong . 26 November 2021 . 5 December 2021.
5. Web site: Samoa Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Reshuffle: New Finance Minister and Two Additional Ministers . Samoa Global News . 6 September 2023 . 6 September 2023.