Atapana Siakimotu NPSM (c. 1948 – 2022[1]) was a Niuean politician, diplomat, and public servant. He served as the speaker of the Niuean Assembly between 2002 and 2011.

Hon. Atapana Siakimotu in March 2008

Biography edit

Siakimotu was educated at Lincoln College in New Zealand, graduating with a diploma in horticulture.[2] He previously worked as principal of Niue High School, director of education, and as consul-general to New Zealand.[3]

He was appointed speaker of the assembly after the 2002 election,[4] and was re-appointed in 2005 and 2008.[5]

In April 2011, he announced that he would retire at the 2011 election, after serving nine years as speaker.[6] He later served as chair of the Niue Public Service Commission.[7]

Siakimotu contested the seat of Avatele in the 2020 Niuean general election,[8] but was unsuccessful, losing to Poimamao Vakanofiti.

Siakimotu accepted the Niue Public Service Medal as part of the 2022 Niue National Awards but died before he could be presented with the award, which was then presented to his family.[9][10]

References edit

  1. ^ "NIUE NATIONAL AWARDS 2" (PDF). Government of Niue. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  2. ^ "People". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 56, no. 4. 1 April 1985. p. 57. Retrieved 14 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "YOUNG VIVIAN NEW NIUE PREMIER". Pacific Islands Report. 1 May 2002. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Vivian Wins". Niue News Update. 1 May 2002. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  5. ^ "Young Vivian re-elected to Niue premiership". RNZ. 12 May 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Niue speaker to quit politics after last assembly sitting". RNZ. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Pre-election pay rise in Niue raises concerns". RNZ. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Billy Talagi will not contest his village seat of Avatele". TV Niue. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  9. ^ "NIUE NATIONAL AWARDS" (PDF). Government of Niue. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  10. ^ Esther Pavihi (October 2022). "Six men and one woman recognised in this year's National Honours Awards". TVNiue. Retrieved 3 December 2022.