Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō Preceded by Sosefo Vakata Parents Baron Vaea | Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō Religion Methodism Grandparents Tupou Seini, Vīlai Tupou | |
Preceded by Prince Tuʻipelehake Mailefihi Born 19 September 1957 (age 59) ( 1957-09-19 ) Political party none (Nobles' Representative) | ||
ʻAlipate Tuʻivanuavou Vaea, Lord Vaea (born September 19, 1957) is a Tongan politician and the member of the Tongan nobility. He has served as Master of the Royal Household and "long-time palace archivist", as well as being Chairman of the Tonga Traditions Committee.
He was bestowed the title of Lord Vaea upon the death of his father, ʻAlipate Halakilangi Tau'alupeoko Vaea Tupou, the previous Vaea, in June 2009. His mother is Baroness Tuputupu Vaea. Vaea is the brother of the present Queen of Tonga Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho and the brother-in-law (and second cousin) of King Tupou VI.
This enabled him to rank among the small number of nobles entitled to elect and be elected among, the Nobles' Representatives to Parliament. Thus he began his career in national politics when he was elected to Parliament as a Nobles' Representative for Tongatapu in the November 2010 general election. He was then appointed Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries in the Cabinet of new Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō. On 1 May 2012, he received, in addition, the Training, Employment, Youth and Sports portfolio.