Mapa Faletau, styled Lord 'Akau'ola (born June 27, 1967), is a Tongan noble, diplomat, and civil servant. His estate is in Taunga in the southern Vava'u Group in the far north of the country.
Faletau is the second eldest son of the late Hononorable 'Akau'ola (Inoke Fotu Faletau, 1937–2005). He was educated in the United Kingdom and graduated from high school in Massey, New Zealand.
In 2001 he became acting secretary of civil aviation,[1] and later became permanent secretary.[2] After the death of his father in late 2005,[3] Faletau's official name was changed to 'Akau'ola and he inherited estates in Vava'u which included Taunga and Ngau.[4]
On 2 March 2007, 28 acres (110,000 m2) on Taunga and Ngau were leased by 'Akau'ola to the Warwick International Group of Hotels & Resorts for the construction of a 4 to 5 star hotel resort and spa, which was celebrated as a major achievement for the tourist industry in Tonga.[5]
In 2011 he was forcibly evicted from a government property he had continued to occupy after it had been sold.[6]
In June 2018 Bank South Pacific Tonga obtained a court judgement to begin enforcement against him over nearly $1 million of unpaid debts.[7] The debt was settled later that month.[8]
In August 2019 he was appointed ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.[9][10]
Honours edit
- National honours
Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Member (31 July 2008)[11]
References edit
- ^ "TONGA'S PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES CABINET CHANGES". Pacific Islands Report. 26 January 2001. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "No royal hand in choosing airline, says Tonga official". RNZ. 17 August 2004. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "Tongan cabinet minister 'Akau'ola dies aged 70". RNZ. 7 October 2005. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "TONGAN MINISTER INHERITS TITLE". Pacific Islands Report. 23 January 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "New five star hotel to be built in Tonga". RNZ. 1 March 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "Tonga noble family evicted from former government residence". RNZ. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "Court gives bank permission to take action over massive debt owed by Lord 'Akau'ola". Kaniva Tonga. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ Cass, Philip (15 November 2019). "Lord 'Akau'ola has repaid all monies owing to Bank of South Pacific, lawyer tells Kaniva". Kaniva Tonga.
- ^ "Noble who was taken to court by bank over massive debt has been appointed ambassador to Gulf state". Kaniva Tonga. 14 August 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "Lord 'Akau'ola presents credentials in Abu Dhabi, leads ambassadors thanks to Sheikh". Kaniva Tonga. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.