Frank Lui

Frank Fakaotimanava Lui, (born 19 November 1935), is a former Premier of the Pacific Island state of Niue. He was elected into office in the General Elections of early 1993, taking over from the interim premiership of Young Vivian, which was put in place following the passing of long-serving Premier Sir Robert Rex in December 1992. Lui was re-elected into office for a second term as Premier in 1996. He lost his seat in the 1999 election, and announced his retirement.

Lui was raised by his grandparents on Niue after his parents and older siblings migrated to Wellington, New Zealand. His parents sent for him when he was nine years old and he attended Newtown School, Wellington, New Zealand. Soon afterwards, he transferred to Naenae School, Lower Hutt, when his parents took the tenancy of a State house there. Lui left Naenae school in 1950 to attend Wellington High School (of which he is a distinguished alumnus - see also photo on website, reference number 3 below) ). On leaving school, he joined the New Zealand merchant navy, and was immediately caught up in the prolonged and acrimonious waterfront workers strike of 1951. As a young man, he returned to Niue (circa 1956) to care for his grandparents and has lived there since. There, he was subjected to colonial discrimination which motivated him to political activity to change an oppressive, paternalistic system run by the New Zealand Government (e.g., "natives" of Niue were not permitted to buy liquor, and were paid wages lower than ex-patriate New Zealanders).

Lui was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours.