Mele Siuʻilikutapu
Mele Siuʻilikutapu | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1975–1978 | |
| Constituency | Tongatapu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 May 1948 |
HRH Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu (born 12 May 1948) is a Tongan royal and former politician. In 1975 she was elected to the Legislative Assembly, becoming its first female member.
Biography
Siu’ilikutapu was born in May 1948, the oldest daughter of Prince Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake and his wife Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune.[1][2] She attended the University of Auckland, where in October 1969 she married Josh Liava'a, a policeman.[3] As a result, King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV had her returned to Tonga and annulled the marriage. The following year she married Kalanivalu-Fotofili, a noble.[2]
In 1975 she contested the elections to the Legislative Assembly, and was elected as a people's representative in Tongatapu, becoming the country's first female parliamentarian.[4][5] She remained a member until 1978.[4]
She later became deputy president of the National Women's Organisation.[6]
References
- ^ Margaret Hixon (1999) Sālote: Queen of Paradise, p135
- ^ a b Married again (by royal consent) Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1970, p33
- ^ Michael Field (2010) Swimming with Sharks p80
- ^ a b Ian Christopher Campbell (2001) Island Kingdom: Tonga Ancient and Modern, p281
- ^ Advancing Women’s Representation in Tonga A Woman’s Place is in the House
- ^ Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Auckland Prayer Breakfast