Mohenoa Puloka

Tēvita Tonga Mohenoa Puloka (26 November 1946 – 4 August 2022)^[1] was a Tongan academic and religious leader. From 2018 to 2021 he served as Governor of Haʻapai.

Mohenoa Puloka
Governor of Ha'apai
In office 26 June 2018 – 25 January 2021
Prime Minister	ʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Preceded by	Moʻale Finau
Succeeded by	Viliami Hingano
Personal details
Born	(1946-11-26)26 November 1946
Died	4 August 2022(2022-08-04) (aged 75)

From 2005 to 2010, Puloka was the principal of Siaʻatoutai Theological College.^[2]

Puloka served as a director of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. In 2013 when eight ministers were caught misusing church funds he pushed for accountability and for ministers to be insulated from financial matters.^[3][4] In 2014 he opposed a strike by the Tongan Public Service Association as it would threaten the economy.^[5]

In November 2017 he was appointed to the Tonga Tradition Committee by Tupou VI.^[6] He later released a book in 2017 on his upbringing.^[7][8]

In June 2018 he was appointed Governor of Ha’apai.^[9][10] As Governor he was responsible for disaster management for Cyclone Tino.^[11] He was replaced as Governor by Viliami Hingano in January 2021.^[12]

References

1. "RIP Life of Dr. Tevita Tonga Mohenoa Puloka". Voice of South Pacific. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
2. "The Principals". Siaʻatoutai Theological College. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
3. "Erring Tonga clergy to be held to account". RNZ. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
4. "Pastors to have accountability measures in place: Dr Mohenoa Puloka". Kaniva Tonga. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
5. "Free Wesleyan director opposes strike threat; tells public servants: "Don't bite the hand that feeds you."". Kaniva Tonga. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
6. "King appoints FWC president Rev. 'Ahio as chairman of Tonga Traditions Committee". Kaniva Tonga. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
7. "Tongan artist releases new bilingual book". RNZ. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
8. "New bilingual book educates artists and traditional upholders of Tongan culture". Kaniva Tonga. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
9. "Church Minister to become governor of Ha'apai". Kaniva Tonga. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
10. "New Cabinet Minister and Governor appointed in Tonga". RNZ. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
11. "Cyclone Tino: 3000 without power in Tonga's Ha'apai group". RNZ. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
12. "King confirms key government appointments". Fāngongo. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.

External links

• Mohenoa Puloka in libraries (WorldCat catalog)