Governor-General of Tuvalu

{{Short description|Representative of the monarch of Tuvalu}} {{Infobox official post | post = Governor-General | body = Tuvalu | nativename = | flag = Flag of the Governor-General of Tuvalu.svg | flagborder = | flagsize = | flagcaption = Flag of the governor-general | insignia = Coat of arms of Tuvalu.svg | insigniasize = 100px | insigniacaption = [[Coat of arms of Tuvalu]] | image = Tofiga Vaevalu Falani 2021.jpg | imagesize = 150px | alt = | incumbent = [[Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani]] | incumbentsince = 28 September 2021 | department = Viceroy | style = [[Excellency|His Excellency]] | member_of = | reports_to = | residence = [[Government House, Funafuti]] | seat = | nominator = | appointer = [[Monarchy of Tuvalu|Monarch of Tuvalu]] | appointer_qualified = on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|prime minister]] | termlength = 4 years | termlength_qualified = | constituting_instrument = [[Constitution of Tuvalu]] | precursor = | formation = 1 October 1978 | first = [[Fiatau Penitala Teo|Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo]] | last = | abolished = | succession = | deputy = | salary = [[Australian dollar|AU$]] 45,262 / US$ 29,760 annually<ref name="paclii.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.paclii.org/tv/legis/num_act/posa2020346/|title=Prescription of Salaries (Amendment) Act 2020|author=Tuvalu|website=paclii.org}}</ref> | website = }}

The '''governor-general of Tuvalu''' is the representative of the [[Monarchy of Tuvalu|Tuvaluan monarch]], currently {{Current Tuvaluan monarch |King |Charles III}}, in the country of [[Tuvalu]].

The governor-general performs the monarch's duties in Tuvalu. The [[Constitutional convention (political custom)|constitutional convention]] is that the governor-general represents the monarch [[Advice (constitutional)|and acts on the advice of the prime minister]].

The office of the governor-general was created on 1 October 1978, when Tuvalu gained independence from the United Kingdom as a sovereign state and an independent constitutional monarchy. Since then, ten individuals have served as governor-general. The incumbent, since 28 September 2021, is [[Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani]].

==Constitutional status and appointment==

The monarchy of Tuvalu exists in a framework of a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy]]. As a constitutional monarch, the King acts entirely on the advice of his government ministers in Tuvalu.<ref name="E II role">{{cite web |title=The Queen's Role in Tuvalu |publisher=Official website of the British Monarchy|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandTuvalu/TheQueensRoleinTuvalu.aspx |access-date=4 April 2014}}</ref> The monarch is recognised in section 50 of the [[Constitution of Tuvalu]], as a symbol of the unity and identity of Tuvalu. The powers and functions of the head of state are set out in Part IV of the Constitution.<ref name="CofT23">{{cite web |last= |first= |title= Constitution of Tuvalu |publisher= Government of Tuvalu |page= |date= 1 October 2023 |url= https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1986/1986-0001/ConstitutionofTuvalu_2.pdf |at= Part IV |accessdate= 27 November 2023 |archive-date= 3 December 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231203110943/https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1986/1986-0001/ConstitutionofTuvalu_2.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>

As set out in section 55 of the Constitution, the King's representative in Tuvalu is the governor-general, who must be at least 50 years of age and be qualified to be elected as a member of parliament. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch for a four-year term. The appointment is made upon the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|Tuvaluan prime minister]], "after the Prime Minister has, in confidence, consulted the members of Parliament".<ref name=s56>{{cite web |last= |first= |title= Constitution of Tuvalu |publisher= Government of Tuvalu |page= |date= 1 October 2023 |url= https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1986/1986-0001/ConstitutionofTuvalu_2.pdf |at= Section 56 |accessdate= 27 November 2023 |archive-date= 3 December 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231203110943/https://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1986/1986-0001/ConstitutionofTuvalu_2.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref name="Taafaki 1996">{{cite web |last=Taafaki |first=Tauaasa |title=South Pacific – Governance in the Pacific: the dismissal of Tuvalu's Governor-General |publisher=Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, ANU (No 96/5) |page=|year=1996|url=https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/210296/1/b1967241x.pdf |access-date=28 August 2021}}</ref>

Section 59(1) of the Constitution requires the governor-general to perform the monarch's functions when the sovereign is outside Tuvalu or otherwise incapacitated.<ref name="CofT23"/>

===Vacancies and removal=== The governor-general may be removed from office by the King upon the advice of the prime minister, after consultation with parliament. The office becomes vacant if the governor-general ceases to be qualified to be elected as a member of parliament, and the governor-general may also resign by submitting written notice to the speaker of the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]].<ref name=s56/>

==Functions==

{{multiple image | align = right | total_width = 220px | perrow = 1/1 | image1 = 11.01 總統抵達抵達吐瓦，總督伊塔雷理（Iakoba Taeia Italeli）陪同蔡總統接受警察儀隊致敬 (24241833788).jpg | caption1 = Governor-General Sir [[Iakoba Italeli]] with President [[Tsai Ing-wen]] of Taiwan in Tuvalu, 2017 | image2 = Judith Cefkin and Iakoba Italeli May 2015.jpg | caption2 = US ambassador to Tuvalu [[Judith Beth Cefkin|Judith Cefkin]] with Governor-General Sir [[Iakoba Italeli]] after presenting her [[letters of credence]], 2015 }}

The governor-general has constitutional responsibilities and [[reserve power]]s in relation to the ordering the [[Parliament of Tuvalu]] to convene and the appointment and dismissal of the [[Prime Minister of Tuvalu|prime minister]].<ref name="CofT23"/>

===Exercise of reserve powers===

In 2003, the Chief Justice of the [[High Court of Tuvalu]] delivered directions as to how the governor-general should proceed to take any action they considers to be appropriate under Section 116(1) of the Constitution, acting in his own deliberate judgment, rather than as advised by the cabinet.<ref name="AG 2003">{{cite web |work=PACLII |title=Amasone v Attorney General [2003] TVHC 4; Case No 24 of 2003 (6 August 2003) |url=http://www.paclii.org/tv/cases/TVHC/2003/4.html |access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> That is, the governor-general could consider whether it was appropriate to exercise their [[reserve powers]] in calling Parliament.

The then Governor-General, Sir [[Iakoba Italeli]] was called on to exercise the reserve powers when Prime Minister [[Willy Telavi]] refused to recall parliament after the [[2013 Nukufetau by-election]]. A [[Tuvaluan constitutional crisis|constitutional crisis]] developed when Prime Minister Telavi responded that, under the Constitution, he was only required to convene parliament once a year, and was thus under no obligation to summon it until December 2013.<ref name="RNZI 2013-07-02">{{cite web |work=Radio New Zealand International |title=Parliament needs one yearly meeting only says defiant Tuvalu PM |date=2 July 2013|url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=77230 |access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref> Tuvalu's opposition then requested the governor-general to intervene against the prime minister's decision.<ref name="RA 2013-07-02">{{cite web |last=Coutts |first=Geraldine |work=Radio Australia |title=Tuvalu opposition demands parliament be allowed to sit after weekend by-election |date=2 July 2013|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/tuvalu-opposition-demands-parliament-be-allowed-to-sit-after-weekend-byelection/1154762 |access-date=19 July 2013}}</ref> On 3 July, Italeli exercised his reserve powers in ordering parliament to convene, against the prime minister's wishes, on 30 July.<ref name="IB 2013-07-03">{{cite web|last=Matau |first=Robert |work=Islands Business |title=Tuvalu's parliament convenes July 30 |date=3 July 2013 |url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1725/tuvalus-parliament-convenes-july-30/ |access-date=5 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053503/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/1725/tuvalus-parliament-convenes-july-30/ |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref>

When the Parliament met on 30 July, the Speaker (Sir [[Kamuta Latasi]]) refused to allow a debate on a [[motion of no confidence]] in the government of Willy Telavi. After [[Tuvaluan constitutional crisis|further political maneuvers]],<ref name="IB 2013-08-05 bombshells">{{cite web|last=Matau |first=Robert |work=Islands Business |title=Tuvalu govt bombshells |date=5 August 2013 |url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2146/tuvalu-govt-bombshells/ |access-date=5 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429162109/http://islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2146/tuvalu-govt-bombshells/ |archive-date=29 April 2014 }}</ref> Italeli then proceeded to exercise his [[reserve powers]] to order Telavi to stand down as prime minister and appointed [[Enele Sopoaga]] as interim prime minister.<ref name="SMH 2013-08-02">{{cite web |last=AFP |work=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Dismissal crisis rocks Tuvalu|date=2 August 2013|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/dismissal-crisis-rocks-tuvalu-20130802-2r54l.html#ixzz2b3BIryEF |access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref> The governor-general also ordered that parliament sit on Friday 2 August to allow a vote of no-confidence in Telavi and his government.<ref name="RA010813">{{cite web |last=Cooney |first=Campbell |work=Australia News Network |title=Tuvalu government faces constitutional crisis|date=1 August 2013|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-01/tuvalu-government-in-crisis/4859432 |access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref> Telavi then proceeded to write to [[Elizabeth II]], Queen of Tuvalu, informing her that he was dismissing Italeli from his position as governor-general.<ref name="SMH 2013-08-02"/> The Queen made no reaction at all, thus leaving Sir Iakoba secure in his post.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/dismissal-crisis-rocks-tuvalu-20130802-2r54l.html |title=Dismissal crisis rocks Tuvalu |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 August 2013 |access-date=8 December 2021}}</ref>

The constitutional crisis was resolved by a motion of no confidence in the government of Willy Tevali, which was held on 2 August 2013: the voting was eight for the motion, four against and one abstention.<ref name="RA 2013-08-04">{{cite web |last=Cooney |first=Campbell |work=Australia News Network |title=Tuvalu parliament elects new prime minister|date=4 August 2013|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-02/an-tuvalu-parliament-votes-to-remove-pm-telavi/4861930 |access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref> On 4 August the parliament elected [[Enele Sopoaga]] as prime minister.<ref name="RA 2013-08-04"/><ref name="RA 2013-08-05">{{cite web |last=Cooney |first=Campbell |work=Radio Australia |title=Sopoaga elected new PM in Tuvalu|date=5 August 2013|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/sopoaga-elected-new-pm-in-tuvalu/1170994 |access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="IB 2013-08-05 Sopoaga">{{cite web|work=Islands Business |title=Enele Sopoaga Sworn-in Today as Tuvalu's New PM |date=5 August 2013 |url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2209/enele-sopoaga-sworn-in-today-as-tuvalus-new-pm/ |access-date=5 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054326/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/tuvalu/2209/enele-sopoaga-sworn-in-today-as-tuvalus-new-pm/ |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref>

==Symbols and privileges==

[[File:Flag of the Governor-General of Tuvalu.svg|thumb|Flag of the governor-general of Tuvalu]]

The governor-general uses a personal flag, which features a [[Lions passant|lion passant]] atop a [[St. Edward's Crown|St. Edward's]] [[Crown (heraldry)#Commonwealth usage|royal crown]] with "Tuvalu" written across a scroll underneath, all on a blue background. It is flown on buildings and other locations in Tuvalu to mark the governor-general's presence.

All governors-general have been awarded the [[Order of St Michael and St George]]. [[Faimalaga Luka]] had thus far been the only governor-general to decline a knighthood.

==Residence== {{main|Government House, Funafuti}} [[Government House, Funafuti|Government House]] in Funafuti is the official residence of the governor-general of Tuvalu.

==List of governors-general==

Following is a list of people who have served as Governor-General of Tuvalu since independence in 1978.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.archontology.org/nations/tuvalu/00_1978_td_g.php |title=Tuvalu: Governors-General: 1978-2008 |publisher=Archontology |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009043320/http://www.archontology.org/nations/tuvalu/00_1978_td_g.php |archive-date=9 October 2008}}</ref>

A total of ten people have held the position on a permanent basis, while an additional three people have held it on an interim basis due to a vacancy. [[Teniku Talesi]] was the first woman to be appointed to the role (albeit for an interim period),<ref name="UN 2020">{{cite web|url=https://protocol.un.org/dgacm/pls/site.nsf/files/HSPMFM/$FILE/Hspmfm.pdf|title=United Nations – Heads Of State|publisher=United Nations – Protocol and Liaison Service|date=2020|access-date=10 January 2021|archive-date=14 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914205358/https://protocol.un.org/dgacm/pls/site.nsf/files/HSPMFM/$FILE/Hspmfm.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="I2020-10">{{cite web|url=https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2020/10/09/ggs-appointment-nanumaga-continues-to-defy-governments-request/|title=GG's Appointment: Nanumaga Continues To Defy Government's Request|publisher=Kitiona Tausi, Tuvalu Paradise – Issue No. 44/2020|date=9 October 2020|access-date=4 January 2021|archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108140323/https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2020/10/09/ggs-appointment-nanumaga-continues-to-defy-governments-request/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CQ 2021">{{cite book |editor-last=Lansford |editor-first=Tom |title=Political Handbook of the World 2020-2021|year=2021|publisher=CQ Press (Sage Knowledge)}}</ref> holding office from the resignation of [[Iakoba Italeli]] in August 2019,<ref name="Taiwan Tuvalu 2009">{{cite web |url=https://www.taiwanembassy.org/tv_en/post/2009.html|title=The Embassy Held a Reception to Celebrate the 108th National Day of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) and the 40th {{as written|Anniv|erary [sic]}} of Diplomatic Relationship between the R.O.C. (Taiwan) and Tuvalu |publisher=Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Tuvalu|date=5 October 2019 |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> until being replaced by [[Samuelu Teo]] (then also serving as Speaker of Parliament) in January 2021.<ref name="Tuvalu Paradise 2021-1">{{cite web|url=https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2021/01/29/lct-moeiteava-christened-and-commissioned/|title=LCT 'Moeiteava' Christened And Commissioned|publisher=Kitiona Tausi, Tuvalu Paradise – Issue No. 06/2021|date=29 January 2021|access-date=16 October 2021|archive-date=7 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807120850/https://tuvaluparadise.tv/2021/01/29/lct-moeiteava-christened-and-commissioned/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes Acting Governors-General}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2" | {{Abbr|No.|Number}} ! rowspan="2" | Portrait ! rowspan="2" | Name {{small|(Birth–Death)}} ! colspan="3" | Term of office ! rowspan="2" | Monarch {{small|(Reign)}} |- ! Took office ! Left office ! Time in office |- | 1 | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg|127x127px]] | Sir [[Fiatau Penitala Teo]] {{small|(1911–1998)}} | {{small|1 October}} 1978 | {{small|1 March}} 1986 | {{age in years and days|1978|10|1|1986|3|1}} | rowspan="12" style="background:#eaecf0; border-style: solid solid none solid ;" | [[File:Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1959).jpg|70px]] '''[[Elizabeth II]]''' {{small|(1978–2022)}} |- | 2 | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg|127x127px]] | Sir [[Tupua Leupena]] {{small|(1922–1996)}} | {{small|1 March}} 1986 | {{small|1 October}} 1990 | {{age in years and days|1986|3|1|1990|10|1}} |- | 3 | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg|127x127px]] | Sir [[Toaripi Lauti]] {{small|(1928–2014)}} | {{small|1 October}} 1990 | {{small|1 December}} 1993 | {{age in years and days|1990|10|1|1993|12|1}} |- | 4 | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg|127x127px]] | Sir [[Tomu Sione]] {{small|(1941–2016)}} | {{small|1 December}} 1993 | {{small|21 June}} 1994 | {{age in years and days|1993|12|1|1994|6|21}} |- | 5 | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg|127x127px]] | Sir [[Tulaga Manuella]] {{small|(born 1936)}} | {{small|21 June}} 1994 | {{small|26 June}} 1998 | {{age in years and days|1994|6|21|1998|6|26}} |- | 6 | [[File:Insigne Tuvalum.svg|127x127px]] | Sir [[Tomasi Puapua]] {{small|(born 1938)}} | {{small|26 June}} 1998 | {{small|9 September}} 2003 | {{age in years and days|1998|6|26|2003|9|9}} |- | 7 | [[File:Faimalaga Luka 2003.jpg|133x133px]] | [[Faimalaga Luka]] {{small|(1940–2005)}} | {{small|9 September}} 2003 | {{small|15 April}} 2005 | {{age in years and days|2003|9|9|2005|4|15}} |- | 8 | [[File:Filoimea Telito 2006.jpg|133x133px]] | Sir [[Filoimea Telito]] {{small|(1945–2011)}} | {{small|15 April}} 2005 | {{small|19 March}} 2010 | {{age in years and days|2005|4|15|2010|3|19}} |- style="background:#e6e6aa;" | – | [[File:Rt Hon Sir Kamuta Latasi (cropped).jpg|124x124px]] | Sir [[Kamuta Latasi]] {{small|(born 1936) Acting Governor-General}} | {{small|19 March}} 2010 | {{small|16 April}} 2010 | {{age in years and days|2010|3|19|2010|4|16}} |- | 9 | [[File:Iakoba Italeli May 2015.jpg|145x145px]] | Sir [[Iakoba Italeli]] {{small|(b. ?)}} | {{small|16 April}} 2010 | {{small|22 August}} 2019 | {{age in years and days|2010|4|16|2019|8|22}} |-style="background:#e6e6aa;" | – | [[File:Teniku Talesi.jpg|133x133px]] | [[Teniku Talesi]] {{small|(b. ?) Acting Governor-General}} | {{small|22 August}} 2019 | {{small|January}} 2021{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} | {{age in years and months|2019|8|22|2021|1|1}} |-style="background:#e6e6aa;" | – |[[File:Tuvalu MP Samuelu Penitala Teo speaking at the 144th IPU Assembly on March 2022 (cropped).jpg|frameless|135x135px]] | [[Samuelu Teo]] {{small|(1957–2024) Acting Governor-General}} | {{small|January}} 2021{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} | {{small|28 September}} 2021 | {{age in years and months|2021|1|1|2021|9|28}} |- | rowspan=2 | 10 | rowspan=2 | [[File:Tofiga Vaevalu Falani 2021.jpg|133x133px]] | rowspan=2 | Sir [[Tofiga Vaevalu Falani]] {{small|(b. ?)}} | rowspan=2 | {{small|28 September}} 2021 | rowspan=2 | Incumbent | rowspan=2 | {{age in years and days|2021|9|29}} | style="background:#eaecf0 ; border-style: none solid solid solid ;" | |- | rowspan="1" style="background:#eaecf0" | [[File:King Charles III (July 2023).jpg|70px]] '''[[Charles III]]''' {{small|(2022–present)}} |}

==See also==

{{portal|Tuvalu}} *[[Prime Minister of Tuvalu]] *[[Governor of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands]] *[[Monarchy of Tuvalu]]

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

{{Tuvalu topics}} {{Representatives of the monarch in Commonwealth realms and Dominions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tuvalu, Governor-General Of}} [[Category:1978 establishments in Tuvalu]] [[Category:Government of Tuvalu]] [[Category:Governors-general of Tuvalu| ]] [[Category:Lists of governors-general]] [[Category:Tuvalu politics-related lists|Governors-General]]