12 Facts About Siaosi Sovaleni

Siaosi Sovaleni had previously served as a Cabinet Minister, and from 2014 to 2017, he was Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga.

Siaosi Sovaleni is the current estate holder of the village of Ha'asini.

Siaosi Sovaleni attended Timaru Boys' High School in New Zealand and graduated in 1988.

Siaosi Sovaleni was educated at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in computer science in 1992.

Siaosi Sovaleni subsequently completed a master's degree at the University of Oxford, and an MBA at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.

Siaosi Sovaleni worked as a public servant for Tonga's Ministry of Finance from 1996 to 2010, before working for the Pacific Community and Asian Development Bank.

Siaosi Sovaleni returned to Tonga in 2013 to work as the Chief Executive in the Ministry of Public Enterprises.

Siaosi Sovaleni ran in the 2017 Tongan general election and was re-elected as the only non-DPFI MP on Tongatapu.

Siaosi Sovaleni subsequently contested the premiership with Pohiva, but was defeated by 12 votes to 14.

Siaosi Sovaleni was re-elected in the 2021 election while receiving the highest number of votes of all candidates for any seat.

Siaosi Sovaleni named his Cabinet on 29 December 2021, retaining the Education portfolio and in addition taking responsibility for Police and the Armed Forces.

Siaosi Sovaleni resigned in December 2024, pre-empting a no-confidence vote in parliament.