The Lord Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano has appointed Hon. ‘Uliti Uata on 25^th January 2011 as the new Minister for Health. His appointment was accepted by the The Princess Regent, Her Royal Highness, Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita.

Hon Uata is an experienced businessman who has run his own successful businesses for the last 40 years with his family- including inter-islands ferries, general store, tourism, and others, employing a lot of people and always with the aim of helping the people of Tonga.

Hon. Uata was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga in 1975, and served as a People's Representative until 1980. After a break from politics, he contested the 1993 election and won the seat of Ha'apai. He has been re-elected in every subsequent election.

Uata was re-elected for an eight term in the 2010 election, and before being nominated to the post of minister of health on 25 January 2011.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku’alofa, 2011.