Penisimani Fifita | |
---|---|
Minister of Internal Affairs | |
In office 17 October 2016 – 16 January 2017 | |
Prime Minister | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva |
Preceded by | Fe’ao Vakatā |
Succeeded by | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva |
Minister of Education | |
In office 16 January 2017 – 10 October 2019 | |
Preceded by | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva |
Succeeded by | Siaosi Sovaleni |
Member of Parliament for Tongatapu 9 | |
In office 27 November 2014 – 18 November 2021 | |
Preceded by | Falisi Tupou |
Succeeded by | Sevenitini Toumoʻua |
Personal details | |
Political party | Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands |
Penisimani 'Epenisa Fifita is a Tongan politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. He is a member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
Before entering politics Fifita worked as a teacher, lecturer, and a public servant for Tonga's Ministry of Internal Affairs.[1] He was first elected at the 2014 Tongan general election. He served as Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House,[2] and in October 2016 was made Minister of Internal Affairs.[3] In January 2017 he became Minister of Education.[4][5] He was re-elected at the 2017 election and retained his portfolio.[6] In 2018, he caused a public controversy by banning Tongan schoolgirls from playing rugby.[7][8]
Following the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva and his replacement by Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa in October 2019 he was not reappointed to Tuʻiʻonetoa's new Cabinet.[9]
He lost his seat in the 2021 Tongan general election.[10]