His
Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to grant the honour of Life Peerage to Afu'alo Matoto, interim
Finance and National Planning Minister, on 30 December 2010, in recognition of his dedicated service
to the Crown and to the Kingdom.
Afu'alo Matoto has been appointed to the title of Lord Matoto of Tu'anekivale in a Investiture ceremony by the Lord Chamberlain, held at the Matoto Residence at Teufaiva, Kolofo'ou.
The Life peers will enjoy the privileges and benefits of a Noble of the Realm. Tu'anekivale is a village in Vava'u.
PROFILE
On 20 March 2008, His Majesty, King
George Tupou V appointed Hon ‘Otenifi Afu'alo Matoto as the Minister for Finance and National
Planning, at the time he was also the Minister for Public Enterprises and Information.
His latest appointment is the culmination of 40 years of dedicated service to
the Government and People of Tonga.
Hon Afu'alo Matoto started serving the Tonga Government as an Assistant Teacher
at Tonga High School in 1968 after obtaining a B.A. from the University of
Auckland. In 1970-1971 he studied at the University of Durham. England from
where he graduated with a M.A.
He started his long association with the finance and banking sector in Tonga in
1971 when he joined the Ministry of Finance as an Assistant Secretary. During
the period 1971 to 1977 he twice acted as Development Officer prior to the
establishment of the Central Planning Department.
In 1977 he was appointed as the Secretary of Finance, a position he held until
1983 when he joined the Bank of Tonga as Manager, Development and Planning. He
held various managerial positions in the Bank of Tonga until he joined the
Tonga Development Bank as Managing Director in 1999. He held this post until
September 2006 when he was appointed to Cabinet.
In October 2006, Hon Afu'alo Matoto was appointed by His Late Majesty, King
Taufa'ahau Tupou IV as Minister for Public Enterprises and in July 2007, the
newly created Ministry of Information was added to his portfolio.
Hon Afu'alo Matoto has served as Chairman and as a member of the boards of
numerous government agencies, statutory bodies and Committees. He has also
served on the executive committees of numerous professional and business
associations. He is a keen supporter of all sporting activities especially
rugby. He was Treasurer of Tonga Rugby Football Union 1975-82 and Chairman of
the TRFU Referees Association from the early 80's to the early 90's. He has
also been a member of the Nuku'alofa Rotary Club since 1974 and has served as President
for a number of years.
Hon Afu'alo Matoto is an ordained Minister of the Constitutional Free Church of
Tonga. He is married to Lavinia and they have two daughters.
