Aʻeau Peniamina
A'eau Peniamina Le'avai | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa | |
| In office 1988–1991 | |
| Preceded by | Nonumalo Nanai Leulumoega Sofara |
| Succeeded by | Fatu Vaili Afamasaga |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Falealupo | |
| In office 2 March 2001 – 8 April 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Mafasolia Papu Vailupe |
| Succeeded by | Leota Tima Leavai |
| In office 22 February 1985 – 5 April 1991 | |
| Preceded by | Lamusitele Sio |
| Succeeded by | Mafasolia Papu Vailupe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1942 (age 81–82) |
| Political party | Tautua Samoa Party (2008–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Samoan Democratic United Party (2003–2008) Samoan National Development Party (2001–2003) Human Rights Protection Party (until 2001) |
A'eau Peniamina Le'avai (born 1942)[1] is a Samoan politician and matai. He served as the Speaker of the Samoan Legislative Assembly from 1988 to 1991. He is a member of the Tautua Samoa Party.
Peniamina was educated at Fiji School of Medicine and the University of London[2] and later worked as a dentist.[3] He was first elected to Parliament as a member of the Human Rights Protection Party in the 1985 general election.[1] He was re-elected in 1988, and served as Speaker of the Assembly from 1988 to 1991, before losing his seat at the 1991 election.[3]
Peniamina was banished from his village after announcing his intention to run as a candidate for the Samoan National Development Party at the 2001 election.[4] He was elected despite this,[5] and was the opposition's candidate for Speaker, but was defeated by 28 votes to 21.[6]
He was re-elected again in 2006 as a candidate for the Samoan Democratic United Party (SDUP).[3] In 2005, Peniamina was accused of racism over remarks he made about Chinese immigrants but later moderated his comments.[7] In November 2006 he was elected deputy leader of the SDUP.[8] Following a split in the SDUP, the party was no longer recognized, and he became an independent MP.[9] He subsequently joined other independents in establishing the Tautua Samoa Party.[10] In December 2007 he denied involvement in an incident in which fellow opposition MP (and former rival for the Falealupo seat) Mafasolia Papu Va'ai was shot and wounded.[11]
Peniamina ran as a Tautua candidate at the 2011 election and was re-elected. He was subsequently elected deputy leader of the party.[12] He was re-elected again at the 2016 election, as one of only three opposition MPs.[13]
He retired at the 2021 election.[14][2] His seat was won by his daughter, Leota Tima Leavai.
References
- ^ a b Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (31 December 2020). "PEOPLE OF 2020: Aeau Dr. Peniamina Leavai". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ^ a b Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (31 January 2021). "Longest-serving opposition M.P., Aeau Dr. Peniamina Leavai, retires". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ a b c "A'eau Peniamina". Legislative Assembly of Samoa. Archived from the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
- ^ "SAMOA CHIEF BANNED FROM VILLAGE FOR WANTING TO RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE". Pacific Islands Report. 24 January 2001. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "SAMOA GOVERNMENT LOSES SOME SEATS, NOW NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN". Pacific Islands Report. 5 March 2001. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "SAMOA'S RULING PARTY RETURNING TO POWER". Pacific Islands Report. 15 March 2001. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Samoa PM accused of racism over anti-Chinese remark". RNZ. 22 January 2005. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Samoa's SDUP elects new deputy leader". RNZ. 6 November 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Deputy leader of Samoa opposition party resigns". RNZ. 9 February 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ Alan Ah Mu (17 December 2008). "Tautua Samoa officially launched". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
- ^ "Samoan MP denies involvement in shooting of another politician". RNZ. 5 December 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Tautua Samoa caucus elect new leaders". RNZ. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Tautua Samoa party finally talks after disastrous poll results". RNZ. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (4 September 2020). "New candidate eyes the seat of Falealupo". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 6 December 2020.