Toaripi Lauti | |
|---|---|
 Lauti at the Tuvalu Constitutional Conference in 1978 | |
| 3rd Governor-General of Tuvalu | |
| In office 1 October 1990 – 1 December 1993 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Bikenibeu Paeniu |
| Preceded by | Tupua Leupena |
| Succeeded by | Tomu Sione |
| 1st Prime Minister of Tuvalu | |
| In office 1 October 1978 – 8 September 1981 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Fiatau Penitala Teo |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Tomasi Puapua |
| 1st Chief Minister of Tuvalu | |
| In office 2 October 1975 – 1 October 1978 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Thomas Laying |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Position Abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 November 1928 |
| Died | 25 May 2014(2014-05-25) (aged 85) Funafuti, Tuvalu[citation needed] |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Sualua Tui |
Sir Toaripi LautiGCMG PC (28 November 1928 – 25 May 2014) was a Tuvaluan politician who served as chief minister of the Colony ofTuvalu (1975–78), as the first prime minister following Tuvalu's independence (1978–1981) and governor-general ofTuvalu (1990–1993). He was married to Sualua Tui.
Lauti was born in Toaripi village of theTerritory of Papua. His father was Pastor Lauti Kae ofFunafuti. He studied at Elisefou (New Ellice) primary school inVaitupu for 6 years from 1938 to 1944. In 1945, he was sent to study inFiji at the Londoni Provincial School, and in 1946 at the Queen Victoria School, before moving in 1947 toWesley College inAuckland, New Zealand. From 1948 to 1951, he finished his schooling atSt Andrews College inChristchurch in 1948. He attended the Teachers' Training College in Christchurch in 1952 and 1953, at the same time he was a House Master at St Andrew's College.
Toaripi Lauti was a teacher atKing George V Secondary School inTarawa from 1954 to 1962.[1] From 1962 to 1974 he was an industrial relations officer with theBritish Phosphate Commissioners in Nauru.[1]In 1974, he entered politics and became a member of theHouse of Assembly for the constituency ofFunafuti of theGilbert and Ellice Islands, asleader of the Opposition.[2]: 153–177
He was the firstchief minister of the Colony of Tuvalu, the formerEllice Islands, from 2 October 1975 to 1 October 1978.[2]
When Tuvalu became independent in 1978, he was appointed as itsfirst prime minister. He was also theminister of finance from 1977 to 1981.[2]: 175–176 He was appointed as a member of thePrivy Council in 1979.[3]
The first elections after independence were not held until 8 September 1981. At that election,Tomasi Puapua was elected as prime minister with a 7:5 majority over the group of members of parliament headed by Lauti.[4][5] The administration of Toaripi Lauti had become involved in controversy, 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.[6] The investment turned out to be a fraud.[7] While the funds were recovered by US agencies,[8][9] the controversy resulted in a loss of confidence in his judgment and was an important factor in the election of Puapua.
Lauti also served as the President of the Funafuti Town Council and as a member of the Tuvalu Language Board.
His reputation was redeemed from the circumstances that ended his time as prime minister, he was theGovernor-General of Tuvalu, representingElizabeth II,Queen of Tuvalu as head of state, from 1 October 1990 through 1 December 1993.[10][11] In 1990, he was appointed aKnight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).[12]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by none | Prime Minister of Tuvalu 1978–1981 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by none | Minister of Finance of Tuvalu 1977-1981 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor-General of Tuvalu 1990–1993 | Succeeded by SirTomu Sione |
