Sir Robert Rex | |
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| 1st Premier of Niue | |
| In office 19 October 1974 – 12 December 1992 | |
| Governor-General | Dennis Blundell Keith Holyoake David Beattie Paul Reeves |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Succeeded by | Young Vivian (Interim) |
| Constituency | Alofi South |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1909-01-25)25 January 1909 Anafonua,Avatele, Niue |
| Died | 12 December 1992(1992-12-12) (aged 83) Halamahaga, Alofi South, Niue |
| Party | Niue People's Action Party |
| Spouse | Tuagatagaloa Patricia, Lady Rex |
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Sir Robert Richmond RexKBE CMG (25 January 1909 – 12 December 1992) was the first Premier of thePacific island state ofNiue.
Rex was born inAlofi on 25 January 1909[1][2] to parents Leslie Lucas Richmond Rex, a European trader on Niue, and Fisimonomono Tufaina ofAvatele Village in the south of Niue. He later settled down in Alofi, the capital of Niue, with his wife of that village,Patricia Rex,QSM (1918–2004).
Rex was the great-uncle of the rugby playerFrank Bunce.[3]
Rex was Premier of Niue from its establishment as a self-governing territory on 19 October 1974 until his death in 1992.[4] Upon his death in office, he was succeeded by MititaiagimeneYoung Vivian, until General Elections the following year resulted in the election ofFrank Fakaotimanava Lui into office. Having served 18 years in office, he is Niue's longest serving Premier.
Although Rex was opposed to party politics on Niue, he was supported by theNiue People's Action Party after its formation in 1987. During his almost two decades in office, Rex held virtually all Government ministerial portfolios from time to time. His Cabinet of Ministers included prominent Niuean figures such as DrEnetama Lipitoa, MititaiagimeneYoung Vivian andFrank Fakaotimanava Lui, the latter two also going on to become Premiers of Niue.
In the1973 New Year Honours, Rex was made anOfficer of the Order of the British Empire, for valuable services to the people of Niue.[5] He was appointed aCompanion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the1977 Queen's Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours.[6]
Rex was the first Niuean to receive a knighthood, being appointed aKnight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the1984 New Year Honours.[7]
| Government offices | ||
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| New office | Premier of Niue 1974–1992 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
