'''Mapa Faletau''', styled '''Lord 'Akau'ola''' (born June 27, 1967), is a Tongan noble, diplomat, and civil servant. His estate is in Taunga in the southern Vava'u Group in the far north of the country.

Faletau is the second eldest son of the late Hononorable 'Akau'ola (Inoke Fotu Faletau, 1937–2005). He was educated in the United Kingdom and graduated from high school in Massey, New Zealand.

In 2001 he became acting secretary of civil aviation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/01/26/tonga%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99s-prime-minister-announces-cabinet-changes |title=TONGA’S PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES CABINET CHANGES |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=26 January 2001 |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref> and later became permanent secretary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/150189/no-royal-hand-in-choosing-airline,-says-tonga-official |title=No royal hand in choosing airline, says Tonga official |publisher=RNZ |date=17 August 2004 |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref> After the death of his father in late 2005,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/157951/tongan-cabinet-minister-'akau'ola-dies-aged-70 |title=Tongan cabinet minister 'Akau'ola dies aged 70 |publisher=RNZ |date=7 October 2005 |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref> Faletau's official name was changed to 'Akau'ola and he inherited estates in Vava'u which included Taunga and Ngau.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2006/01/23/tongan-minister-inherits-title |title=TONGAN MINISTER INHERITS TITLE |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=23 January 2006 |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref>

On 2 March 2007, {{convert|28|acre|m2}} on Taunga and Ngau were leased by 'Akau'ola to the Warwick International Group of Hotels & Resorts for the construction of a 4 to 5 star hotel resort and spa, which was celebrated as a major achievement for the tourist industry in Tonga.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/168188/new-five-star-hotel-to-be-built-in-tonga |title=New five star hotel to be built in Tonga |publisher=RNZ |date=1 March 2007 |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref>

In 2011 he was forcibly evicted from a government property he had continued to occupy after it had been sold.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/199224/tonga-noble-family-evicted-from-former-government-residence |title=Tonga noble family evicted from former government residence |publisher=RNZ |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref>

In June 2018 Bank South Pacific Tonga obtained a court judgement to begin enforcement against him over nearly $1 million of unpaid debts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kanivatonga.nz/2018/06/court-gives-bank-permission-to-take-action-over-massive-debt-owed-by-hon-akauola/ |title=Court gives bank permission to take action over massive debt owed by Lord ‘Akau’ola |publisher=Kaniva Tonga |date=2 June 2018 |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref> The debt was settled later that month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kanivatonga.nz/2019/11/lord-akauola-has-repaid-all-monies-owing-to-bank-of-south-pacific-lawyer-tells-kaniva/|title=Lord ‘Akau‘ola has repaid all monies owing to Bank of South Pacific, lawyer tells Kaniva|publisher=Kaniva Tonga|date=15 November 2019|first=Philip|last=Cass}}</ref>

In August 2019 he was appointed ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kanivatonga.nz/2019/08/noble-who-was-taken-to-court-by-bank-over-massive-debt-has-been-appointed-ambassador-to-gulf-state/ |title=Noble who was taken to court by bank over massive debt has been appointed ambassador to Gulf state |publisher=Kaniva Tonga |date=14 August 2019 |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kanivatonga.nz/2019/11/lord-akauola-presents-credentials-in-abu-dhabi-leads-ambassadors-thanks-to-sheikh/ |title=Lord ‘Akau‘ola presents credentials in Abu Dhabi, leads ambassadors thanks to Sheikh |publisher=Kaniva Tonga |date=18 November 2019 |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref>

==Honours== ;National honours * 50px Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Member (31 July 2008)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://matangitonga.to/2008/08/01/royal-orders-presented-palace |title=Royal orders presented at Palace |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=1 August 2008 |access-date=2 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121030307/https://matangitonga.to/2008/08/01/royal-orders-presented-palace |archive-date=21 January 2021}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Faletau, Mapa}} Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:Tongan civil servants Category:Tongan nobles Category:Tongan diplomats Category:Members of the Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III