Toaripi Lauti

Sir Toaripi Lauti, GCMG, PC was born Toalipi Lauti on November 28, 1928. His father was Pastor Lauti of Funafuti. He studied at Elisefou School in Vaitupu for 6 years. In 1945 he was sent to study in Fiji at the Ratu Kadavulevu School and later at the Queen Victoria School, before moving to Wesley College in New Zealand. He finished his schooling at St Andrews College. He entered Christchurch Teachers College and graduated in 1952.^[1]

Pre-Independence career

Toaripi Lauti became a teacher at King George V Secondary School in Tarawa. In 1961 he became an industrial relations officer with the British Phosphate Commissioners in Nauru.^[1] In 1974 he entered politics and because a member of parliament for the constituency of Funafuti.^[2]

He was the chief minister of Tuvalu, the former Ellice Islands, from October 2, 1975 to October 1, 1978.^[2]

Prime Minister of Tuvalu, post-independence

When Tuvalu became independent in 1978, he was appointed as its first Prime Minister. The first elections after independence will not held until 8 September 1981. At that election Dr. Tomasi Puapua, was elected as prime minister with a 7:5 majority over the group a members of parliament headed by Toaripi Lauti.^[3] The administration of Toaripi Lauti had become involved in controversy, which resulted in a loss of confidence in his judgment, as a result of his decision to invest nearly all of the government's money with an American real estate salesman who promised 15 percent returns from the purchase of land in Texas. The investment turned out to be a fraud.^[4]

Governor-General of Tuvalu

His reputation was redeemed from the circumstances that ended his time as Prime Minister, he was the Governor-General of Tuvalu, representing the monarch as head of state, from October 1, 1990 through December 1, 1993.^[5]

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Enele Sopoaga, Hugh Larcy (ed) (1983). "Chapter 19, Post-War Development". Tuvalu: A History. University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu. pp. 146–152. 
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tito Isala, Hugh Larcy (ed) (1983). "Chapter 20, Secession and Independence". Tuvalu: A History. University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu. pp. 153–177. 
3. ↑ "Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu)". Inter-Parliamentary Union. 1981. Retrieved 7 March 2013. 
4. ↑ Gerard A. Finin (2002). "Will Trust Funds Sustain the FSM and RMI? Lessons from the Tuvalu Model". EWC Pacific Islands Congressional Study Group 5/3/02. Retrieved 23 September 2013. 
5. ↑ Craig, Robert D. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Polynesia. Scarecrow Press. 

See also

• Politics of Tuvalu