M.P. for Vaimauga No. 3 passes away

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 29 November 2022, 10:25AM

The Member of Parliament for Vaimauga No. 3, Tapunuu Papalii Niko Lee Hang, passed away this morning at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital at Moto'otua. 

His relatives confirmed the death of the senior Member of Parliament and Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) stalwart and former cabinet minister. 

Tapunuu had just returned from abroad on Monday having being away for medical treatment. 

The former Cabinet Minister first entered the Legislative Assembly in 2001 under the Individual Voters seat and has been re-elected into the House with his current one being his fifth consecutive term in office. 

An accountant by profession and former Public Trustee from 1997 to 2001, Tapunuu was a former minister of finance in 2006 and the minister of works transport and infrastructure in the 2016-2021 parliamentary term. 

He was not given a cabinet minister portfolio in 2006 and became a backbencher who stood up against corruption during the term his political party dominated parliament. 

He was the voice against corruption between the 2006-2011 parliamentary term and chaired the Officers of Parliament Committee that highlighted collusion and corrupt practices in the Government. The findings led to the resignation of the former minister of finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga from his portfolio. 

Tapunuu, who also holds the title of Papalii, had educational qualifications from the University of New England in Australia and Waikato University in New Zealand.

Prior to being elected an M.P. he worked in the public sector for more than 30 years. This included stints at S.L.A.C and the Public Trust Office as the Public Trustee.

He is survived by his wife Doris Lee Hang and four children. 

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 29 November 2022, 10:25AM
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