Lord Fakafanua | |
|---|---|
 Fatafehi Fakafanua in 2013 | |
| Speaker of the Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office December 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva Semisi Sika (Acting) Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa Siaosi Sovaleni |
| Preceded by | Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō |
| In office 19 July 2012 – 29 December 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō |
| Preceded by | Lord Lasike |
| Succeeded by | Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō |
| Member of Parliament for Ha‘apai (noble) | |
| Assumed office 16 November 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Lord Tuʻihaʻateiho |
| In office 23 April 2008 – 26 November 2014 | |
| Succeeded by | Havea Tu‘iha‘angana |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 March 1985 |
| Political party | none (Nobles' Representative) |
| Spouse | Krystal Fane Kite |
| Parent(s) | Hon. Dr Kinikinilau Tūtoatasi Fakafānua Princess Sinaitakala 'Ofeina-'e-he-Langi Fakafānua |
| Tongan royal family |
|---|
 |
|
| Extended family |
|
Fatafehi Fakafānua, known before ascending to his title as Fatafehi Kinikinilau Lolomana‘ia Fakafānua (born 20 March 1985), is a Tongan politician, Lord of the Realm and the Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly. He is the 8th Lord Fakafānua.[1]
He is the son of late Kinikinilau Tūtoatasi, 7th Lord Fakafānua and estate holder of Ma'ufanga, and Princess Sinaitakala 'Ofeina-'e-he-Langi Fakafānua. He has a brother, Fakaola mei Langi ʻItafuaʻatonga Tūtoatasi Fakafānua and a sister, the Crown Princess of Tonga, Sinaitakala Tu'imatamoana 'i Fanakavakilangi Fakafānua.[2]
Through his mother, he is a member of the Tongan royal family and, of her own right, in line to the country's throne.
He was bestowed with the title Fakafānua, one of the thirty-three hereditary titles of the Tongan nobility, in April 2006.[3] The title is attached to the estates of Ma'ufanga (on Tongatapu), Nga'akau (on Vava'u) and Faleloa (on Ha'apai), and enables its holder to be elected to the Legislative Assembly as a Representative of the Nobility. During the 2008 by-election he was elected as a representative for Ha'apai, the youngest member ever of the Tongan Parliament. He was re-elected in the November 2010 general election.[4]
On 19 July 2012 he was elected Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly following Lord Lasike's removal from office,[5] becoming Tonga's youngest ever Speaker.[6] As Speaker he held a "practice parliament" to encourage women to participate in politics.[7] He lost his seat in the 2014 election.[8]
He was elected again in the 2017 election[9] and re-elected Speaker.[10]
Following the 2021 election he was re-elected Speaker.[11]
On 1 August 2008, King George Tupou V appointed Fakafānua Commander of the Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III.
On 15 October 2014 he married Krystal Fane Kite, daughter of Tonga's former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, then Ambassador to the United States, the late Sione Kite.
Knight Commander of the Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III (31 July 2008).[12]