Prince Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake (Sione Ngū Manumataongo; 7 January 1922 – 10 April 1999) was the youngest son of Queen Sālote Tupou III of Tonga. He was the prime minister of Tonga from 1965 to 1991, a record tenure of over 25 years, serving under his brother King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV.

Early life

Tuʻi Pelehake attended Newington College, Sydney, (1941–1942) and Gatton Agricultural College, Queensland, Australia. On 10 June 1947, Fatafehi married Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune (13 November 1924 – 16 March 1993) in a double marriage ceremony (taʻane māhanga) with his older brother, the Crown Prince (at the time known as Tupoutoʻa-Tungī), who also married Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe. He received the title Tuʻi Pelehake (Fatafehi) from his mother (Queen Sālote) in 1944, and he also received the second-highest title of Tonga, Tuʻi Faleua (king of the second house). From a non-traditional side, he was conferred an honorary CBE in 1966. He inherited from his mother an artistic side; he was a well-known poet and composer.

Politics

His career was with his brother in the government. His first assignment was as governor of Vavaʻu (1949–1952), later of Haʻapai (1952–1953), and he then served as Minister of Health and Lands.

Prime minister

In 1965 he took over as Prime Minister of Tonga when his brother had to vacate the post on becoming king. He remained prime minister until he resigned in 1991 due to serious health problems. His last years were spent in a wheelchair on a life support system. He kept the both titles of Tuʻi Pelehake and Tuʻi Faleua for so many years, that they became synonymous with him. But after his death, only the former was conferred to his son ʻUluvalu, while the latter returned to the king. He died on 10 April 1999 in Auckland after a long illness.

Descendants

Besides his son who inherited his positions, he also had four daughters and two sons :

Honours

National

Foreign