Viliami Hingano Explained

Viliami Hingano
Office3:Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests
Primeminister3:Siaosi Sovaleni
Term Start3:28 December 2021
Term End3:10 June 2022
Predecessor3:Lord Tu’ilakepa
Successor3:Sione Siale Fohe
Office4:Governor of Haʻapai
Primeminister4:Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
Term Start4:25 January 2021
Term End4:28 December 2021
Predecessor4:Mohenoa Puloka
Successor4:Pita Faiva Taufatofua
Constituency Mp5:Haʻapai 12
Term Start5:18 November 2021
Term End5:10 June 2022
Predecessor5:Moʻale Finau
Term Start6:27 November 2014
Term End6:16 November 2017
Predecessor6:Moʻale Finau
Successor6:Moʻale Finau
Birth Date:1975
Death Date:10 June 2022 (aged 47)
Death Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Party:None

Viliami Manuopangai Faka’osiula Hingano (1975 – 10 June 2022)[1] was a Tongan politician and Cabinet Minister.

Biography

Hingano ran in the 2010 Tongan general election but was unsuccessful. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga at the 2014 election, but his election was disputed, leading to a recount,[2] which he won.[3] In parliament, he generally sided with the Noble faction, opposing the government of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva's decision to withdraw from hosting the Pacific Games,[4] and opposing it in confidence votes.[5] In June 2016 he advocated for higher salaries for MPs.[6]

Hingano was defeated at the 2017 election, losing to Moʻale Finau. In January 2021 he was appointed Governor of Haʻapai by Prime Minister Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa.[7] Shortly after being appointed he was convicted of unlawful possession of 198 kg of turtle meat.[8] He was fined T$12,000,[9] but allowed to retain his position.[10]

He was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly at the 2021 election.[11] On 28 December 2021 he was appointed to the Cabinet of Siaosi Sovaleni as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests.[12] Immediately after being appointed he flew to New Zealand for medical treatment.[13]

Hingano died in Auckland on 10 June 2022 at the age of 47.[1] [14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tonga Minister for Agriculture dies in Auckland . Kaniva Tonga . 10 June 2022 . 11 June 2022.
  2. Web site: Tongan officials to recount votes in Ha'apai . RNZ . 4 December 2014 . 23 June 2020.
  3. Web site: Ha'apai 12 Ballot recount confirms Vili Hingano . Matangi Tonga . 9 December 2014 . 23 June 2020.
  4. Web site: Tongan Government Decision To Withdraw From Pacific Games Leads To Adjournment Of Parliament . Pacific Islands Report . 12 June 2017 . 23 June 2020.
  5. Web site: Tongan PM Akilisi Pohiva survives no- confidence vote . One PNG . 27 February 2017 . 23 June 2020.
  6. Web site: Tongan MP wants pay to match Pacific counterparts . RNZ . 16 June 2016 . 23 June 2020.
  7. Web site: King confirms key government appointments . Fāngongo . 25 January 2021 . 9 January 2022.
  8. Web site: Ha'apai governor who is a former lawmaker guilty of possessing unlawful turtle meat . Kaniva Tonga . 18 March 2021 . 9 January 2022.
  9. Web site: Ha'apai governor fined $12,000 for unlawful possession of huge amount of turtle meat . Kaniva Tonga . 19 May 2021 . 9 January 2022.
  10. Web site: Ha'apai Governor keeping office after sentencing encourages illegal acts: Lawyer Nalesoni Tupou . Kaniva Tonga . 22 May 2021 . 9 January 2022.
  11. Web site: Tonga elects all-male parliament with nine new People's Reps . Matangi Tonga . 18 November 2021 . 18 November 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211118122442/https://matangitonga.to/2021/11/19/tonga-elects-all-male-parliament-nine-new-peoples-reps . 18 November 2021.
  12. Web site: PM names new government . Matangi Tonga . 29 December 2021 . 29 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211229094621/https://matangitonga.to/2021/12/29/pm-names-new-government . 29 December 2021.
  13. Web site: Tonga's MAFF Minister flooded with messages of love and support while in Auckland hospital . Kaniva Tonga . 3 January 2022 . 4 January 2022.
  14. Web site: PM announces death of Tongan Cabinet Minister in New Zealand . Matangi Tonga . 11 June 2022 . 11 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220611080430/https://matangitonga.to/2022/06/11/pm-announces-death-tongan-cabinet-minister-new-zealand . 11 June 2022.