Natano Ministry

The Natano Ministry was the 15th ministry of the Government of Tuvalu, led by Prime Minister Kausea Natano. It succeeded the Sopoaga Ministry upon its swearing in by the acting Governor-General, Mrs. Teniku Talesi Honolulu, on 18 September 2019.^[1][2]

Natano Ministry
15th Cabinet of Tuvalu
Date formed	20 September 2019
People and organisations
Head of state	Queen Elizabeth II (20 September 2019 – 8 September 2022) King Charles III (8 September 2022 – present) (represented by the Rev. Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani)
Head of government	Kausea Natano
Deputy head of government	Minute Alapati Taupo (20 September 2019 – 23 May 2022); Kitiona Tausi (from July 2022 to February 2024)
Member party	Independent
Opposition leader	None
History
Election	2019 Tuvaluan general election
Predecessor	Sopoaga Ministry
Successor	Teo Ministry

Natano served as a Minister for Public Utilities and Industries in the Ielemia Ministry (2006-2010); and he was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Transport and Public Utilities in the Telavi Ministry (2010–2013).

Cabinet

See also: Cabinet of Tuvalu

Mrs. Teniku Talesi Honolulu, the acting Governor-General of Tuvalu convened the Parliament of Tuvalu to meet on 19 September 2019, at which Kausea Natano was elected as Prime Minister of Tuvalu.^[2] Natano appointed the members of the Cabinet,^[3][4] which met for the first time on 20 September 2019.^[5]

Portfolio	Minister	Constituency	Notes
Prime Minister	Kausea Natano	Funafuti
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Fisheries & Trade	Minute Alapati Taupo[3][4][5]	Nanumaga	Died 23 May 2022.[6]
	Kitiona Tausi	Nanumaga	Elected in the by-election held on 15 July 2022 and then appointed to the cabinet.[7][8]
Minister for Justice, Communication & Foreign Affairs	Simon Kofe[3][4][5][9]	Funafuti	Kofe resigned in July 2023 to focus on the parliamentary work to amend the Constitution.[10]
	Panapasi Nelesoni	Nukufetau	Appointed in August 2023.[11][12]
Minister for Education, Youth & Sports	Timi Melei[3]	Nanumea
Minister for Public Utilities & Environment	Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu[3]	Nanumea
Minister of Finance	Seve Paeniu[3][13][14]	Nukulaelae
Minister for Health, Social Welfare & Gender	Isaia Taape[3][4]	Vaitupu
Minister for Home Affairs & Agriculture	Katepu Laoi[3]	Niutao	Died in April 2022.[15]
	Sa'aga Talu Teafa[16]	Niutao	Won the Niutao by-election on 6 June 2022 following the death of Katepu Laoi.[17]
Minister for Transport, Energy & Tourism	Nielu Meisake[3]	Vaitupu

References

1. "New Tuvalu PM will not attend UN Climate Summit in New York". PINA. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
2. Pareti, Samisoni (16 September 2019). "Natano gets PM nomination". Islands Business. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
3. "New Tuvalu Government suspends Chief Justice". Pacific Islands News Association (PINA). 23 September 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
4. Pareti, Samisoni (19 September 2019). "Tuvalu's new PM is Kausea Natano". Island Business. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
5. "Climate advocacy, Taiwan to remain priorities for new Tuvalu government". Radio New Zealand. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
6. "Tuvalu mourns Deputy Prime Minister". Radio New Zealand. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
7. Ligaiula, Pita (16 July 2022). "Chair of the Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation wins Nanumaga by-election". Pacific News Service/Radio Tuvalu. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
8. "Tuvalu - Heads of Government Listing". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia. 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
9. "New Foreign Minister Simon Kofe says Tuvalu committed to Taiwan". Australian broadcasting Corporation. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
10. Wright, Stephen (30 July 2023). "Pacific climate campaigner resigns as Tuvalu foreign minister". Benar News. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
11. "Pacific news in brief: Tuvalu - minister resigns". Radio New Zealand. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
12. "MFAT Document Schedule Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade of New Zealand. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
13. "Directory: Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank". Asian Development Bank. 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
14. "Statement by the Hon. Seve Paeniu, Governor of the Bank and the Fund for Tuvalu" (PDF). International Monetary Fund - Governor's Statement No. 19. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
15. "Tuvalu Department of Health". FB. April 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
16. "MOFA welcomes Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano and Madam Selepa Kausea Natano on their state visit to Taiwan from September 3-9". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). 5 September 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
17. "Niutao By-Election Result". Tuvalu.TV. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2024.