Viliami Hingano

Viliami Manuopangai Faka’osiula Hingano (1975^[1] – 10 June 2022)^[2] was a Tongan politician and Cabinet Minister.

Viliami Hingano
Hingano in 2016
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests
In office 28 December 2021 – 10 June 2022
Prime Minister	Siaosi Sovaleni
Preceded by	Lord Tu’ilakepa
Succeeded by	Sione Siale Fohe
Governor of Haʻapai
In office 25 January 2021 – 28 December 2021
Prime Minister	Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
Preceded by	Mohenoa Puloka
Succeeded by	Pita Faiva Taufatofua
Member of Parliament for Haʻapai 12
In office 18 November 2021 – 10 June 2022
Preceded by	Moʻale Finau
In office 27 November 2014 – 16 November 2017
Preceded by	Moʻale Finau
Succeeded by	Moʻale Finau
Personal details
Born	1975
Died	10 June 2022 (aged 47) Auckland, New Zealand
Political party	None

Biography

Hingano ran in the 2010 Tongan general election but was unsuccessful. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga at the 2014 election, but his election was disputed, leading to a recount,^[3] which he won.^[4] In parliament, he generally sided with the Noble faction, opposing the government of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva's decision to withdraw from hosting the Pacific Games,^[5] and opposing it in confidence votes.^[6] In June 2016 he advocated for higher salaries for MPs.^[7]

Hingano was defeated at the 2017 election, losing to Moʻale Finau. In January 2021 he was appointed Governor of Haʻapai by Prime Minister Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa.^[8] Shortly after being appointed he was convicted of unlawful possession of 198 kg of turtle meat.^[9] He was fined T$12,000,^[1] but allowed to retain his position.^[10]

He was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly at the 2021 election.^[11] On 28 December 2021 he was appointed to the Cabinet of Siaosi Sovaleni as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests.^[12] Immediately after being appointed he flew to New Zealand for medical treatment.^[13]

Hingano died in Auckland on 10 June 2022 at the age of 47.^[2][14]

References

1. "Ha'apai governor fined $12,000 for unlawful possession of huge amount of turtle meat". Kaniva Tonga. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
2. "Tonga Minister for Agriculture dies in Auckland". Kaniva Tonga. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
3. "Tongan officials to recount votes in Ha'apai". RNZ. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
4. "Ha'apai 12 Ballot recount confirms Vili Hingano". Matangi Tonga. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
5. "Tongan Government Decision To Withdraw From Pacific Games Leads To Adjournment Of Parliament". Pacific Islands Report. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
6. "Tongan PM Akilisi Pohiva survives no- confidence vote". One PNG. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
7. "Tongan MP wants pay to match Pacific counterparts". RNZ. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
8. "King confirms key government appointments". Fāngongo. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
9. "Ha'apai governor who is a former lawmaker guilty of possessing unlawful turtle meat". Kaniva Tonga. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
10. "Ha'apai Governor keeping office after sentencing encourages illegal acts: Lawyer Nalesoni Tupou". Kaniva Tonga. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
11. "Tonga elects all-male parliament with nine new People's Reps". Matangi Tonga. 18 November 2021. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
12. "PM names new government". Matangi Tonga. 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
13. "Tonga's MAFF Minister flooded with messages of love and support while in Auckland hospital". Kaniva Tonga. 3 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
14. "PM announces death of Tongan Cabinet Minister in New Zealand". Matangi Tonga. 11 June 2022. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.