Polataivao Fosi

Polataivao Fosi Schmidt (1933 - 2005) is the former Minister of Labor for Samoa. He was a member of the Human Rights Protection Party. His mother was from Safune and his father from Safotu village on the island of Savai'i.

Fosi, a former heavyweight boxing champion nicknamed "The Brown Hawk" and "King Pola", got his start in politics as an MP in the electoral district of Gagaifomauga Number 3. He initially won his seat in the 1964 election, by a count of 41 votes to 36, and then was re-elected without opposition in three subsequent elections.[1] He held the seat until 1999, when he was forced to resign due to ill health.

He is the father of Samoan politician Laauli Leuatea Polataivao.[2]

References

  1. ^ So'o, Asofou. Democracy & Custom in Samoa: An uneasy alliance, IPS Productions (University of the South Pacific), ISBN 9820203902
  2. ^ "Samoa’s ruling party has new whip". Radio New Zealand International. April 9, 2006. http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=23321. Retrieved November 3, 2011.