Tonga’s new Cabinet focuses on climate change, economy, health and governance

Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, has announced his new Cabinet, effective 31 December 2025, three weeks after being elected by Parliament and formally approved by King Tupou VI.

The 11-member team, three Nobles and eight People's Representatives, has experienced MPs and key royal figures, with ministers assigned to portfolios ranging from climate and disaster management to finance, health, and infrastructure.

Fakafanua himself will oversee multiple high-profile ministries, including Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change (MEIDECC), as well as Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Prisons.

The appointments position him at the centre of the government’s climate, security, and development agenda.

Fakafanua’s leadership and the composition of his Cabinet have immediately sparked debate within Tonga and across the Pacific, largely because nobles, and even royalty, dominate the senior executive.

The outcome follows Tonga’s 2010 constitutional shift that increased people’s representation, but critics say the new lineup appears to pull power back towards entrenched elites.

Lord Fakafanua receives appointment confirmation from King Tupou VI at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 18 December 2025. Photo/Tonga Prime Minister's Office

Fakafanua, himself a noble and member of the royal lineage, and his consolidation of authority come at a moment when Tonga faces pressing challenges, ranging from climate impacts and economic hardship to erosion of public trust in democratic governance.

Teisa Pohiva, lawyer and daughter of Tonga’s late pro-democracy leader and former prime minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva, says she is concerned about the Cabinet’s structure and what it means for Tonga’s democratic evolution.

In a widely shared social media post, she described the election of a noble prime minister and the resulting Cabinet as “a sad day for Tonga’s democratic reforms".

Watch Lord Fakafanua's full interview on PMN Tonga below.

She says Fakafanua entered Parliament through a very small voting pool, elected by just three nobles, before winning the prime ministership in a wider parliamentary vote.

“Now the Prime Minister and head of government is also a noble who is so closely linked to the King,” she wrote, questioning how justice and good governance can be achieved in “a system so inherently set up to resist” them.

Pohiva has previously campaigned against moves she sees as re-centralising power toward the monarchy and nobility, calling for representatives of the people to “stand together” and safeguard the prime ministership for those directly accountable to voters.

Not all commentary has been critical. Advocates such as Aotearoa-based community leader Pakilau Manase Lua welcomed Fakafanua’s election as a “breath of fresh air,” telling PMN News earlier that the new prime minister could unify Tonga and bring strong leadership after a divisive election season.

Political analysts across the Pacific say Tonga’s experience resonates beyond its shores. The island kingdom plays a significant role in regional forums where democratic legitimacy and climate leadership are central priorities.

Listen to Teisa Pohiva's full interview on Pacific Mornings below.

Tonga’s Cabinet composition and its ability to address economic and environmental pressures will shape how its partners engage with Nuku‘alofa in the coming years.

Key appointments include Deputy Prime Minister Viliami Uasike Latu overseeing justice and economic development, and Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ‘Ulukalala as Minister for His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services and Armed Forces - the Crown Prince’s role underlining the monarchy’s visible presence in executive affairs.

Other portfolios cover health, finance, education, agriculture, and internal affairs. The lineup features a significant blend of veteran political figures and new appointments.

The Cabinet includes former Prime Minister Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, who takes on the portfolios of Minister for Public Enterprises and Minister for Health.

Joining him is Hon. Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika, who has previously served as Acting Prime Minister. He returns to familiar territory as the Minister for Tourism and Minister for Infrastructure.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, left, is Tonga's Minister for His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services and Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces while former Prime Minister Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni has been appointed Minister for Public Enterprises and Minister for Health. Photo/Supplied

Tonga’s only woman MP, Fane Fituafe, Minister for Internal Affairs, Employment, Women, Social Protection, Youth and Sports.

With nobles occupying several senior posts, and the Prime Minister himself holding multiple ministries, some critics say the Cabinet risks reinforcing institutional imbalances that the 2010 reforms sought to address.

Supporters counter that stability and continuity are urgently needed to tackle Tonga’s socio-economic challenges.

As the new government begins its work, the kingdom’s political trajectory including its blend of traditional authority and democratic aspiration will remain closely watched both at home and across the Pacific region.

Watch Pakilau Manase Lua's full interview on Pacific Mornings below.

His Majesty’s Cabinet and portfolios include:

Lord Fakafanua

Prime Minister

Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Communications and Climate Change (MEIDECC)

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Prisons

Dr Viliami Uasike Latu

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Justice

Minister for Trade and Economic Development

Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala

Minister for His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services

Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces

Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni

Minister for Public Enterprises

Minister for Health

Tonga's Parliament. Photo/Supplied

Lataifaingata’a Tangimana

Minister for Finance & National Planning,

Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika

Minister for Tourism

Minister for Infrastructure

Dr Taniela Liku’ohihifo Fusimalohi

Minister for Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources

Dr Mo’ale ‘Otunuku

Minister for Education and Training

Sevenitini Toumo’ua

Minister for Customs and Inland Revenue

Viliami Sisifa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests

Minister for Fisheries

Fane Fotu Fituafe

Minister for Internal Affairs, Employment, Women, Social Protection, Youth and Sports.

Tonga's only female MP, Fane Fotu Fituafe, is the Minister for Internal Affairs, Employment, Women, Social Protection, Youth and Sports. Photo/Supplied