Biography of His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese
Born March 1, 1938, in Motootua, Samoa. Tupua is the son of the late Head of State Tupua Tamasese Mea’ ole and Noue Irene Gustava Tai’si Nelson. He is married to Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese nee Imo is daughter of the late Rev. Elder Iupati Imo and Mauinuuese Tofaeono Imo.
His Highness is the scion of the paramount family of Sa Tupua. He is the Tama-a-Aiga and holds the paramount chiefly titles of Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta’isi.
He attended primary school at Marist Brothers School in Apia, Samoa. He continued his education at St Patrick’s College in Silverstream, Wellington, New Zealand. He was also educated at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.
In 1966 he started his political career in Samoa, where he became an MP. He was representative of the Anoama’a East constituency and also a member of the Christian Democratic Party (CDP). From 1970-1972 he was Minister of Works. He was elected as Prime Minister for Samoa for two consecutive terms from 1976-1982. In addition he also served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1985 to 1988 and was also Leader of Opposition.
Aside from his political career, he has held several academic posts. He was Adjunct Professor for Awanuiorangi in New Zealand and later an Associate Member of the Matahauariki Institute, Waikato University. In 2005, he became an Assessor for Samoan Language and Culture at the National University of Samoa. He was PhD examiner of Samoan and Pacific History for Australian National University Canberra. Furthermore, he was a former Resident Scholar for Pacific Studies Centre for the Australian National University.
His Highness was also Commissioner of the South Commission (1990) and the Oceanic Representative for the Pontifical Interreligious Commission (2005).
In December 2004 Tupua became a member on the Council of Deputies. Following the death of Malietoa Tanumafili II, he was elected Head of State 16 June, 2007 for a five-year term. On 20 March 2008, he was invested as Chancellor for the National University of Samoa.
His Highness is a leading authority on Samoan culture, language and tradition and has published extensively in both Samoan and English.
Patronage
His Highness is patron for various organisations.
- Patron for the Samoa Tennis Association
- Patron for Samoa Golf Association
- Patron for Samoa Rugby Union
- Patron for Marist Old Boys Association
- Patron for Pacific Leadership Foundation
- Patron for Polynesian Society
List of publications by His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta’isi Efi.
1989
Ia faagaganaina oe e le Atua fetalai: o nisi o lauga ma tatalo o Tupua. Commercial Print, Samoa.
1994
The Riddle in Samoan History: The Relevance of Language, Names, Honorifics, Genealogy, Ritual and Chant to Historical Analysis. Journal of Pacific History 29 (1) 66-79.
1995
Englishing my Samoan: selected speeches and letters. University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.
Gagana Samoa: o le a lona taua i le seneturi 21. Rainmaker Hotel, Pagopago.
Tamafaiga: Shaman, King or Maniac? Journal of Pacific History 30 (1) 3-21.
2001
Talanoaga na loma ma Ga'opo'a. Pacific Printers and Publishers: Apia, Samoa.
2003
In Search of Meaning, Nuance and Metaphor in Social Policy. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand 20 49-63
2004
Resident, Residence, Residency in Samoan Custom in Symposium on Concepts in Polynesian Customary Law, Te Matahauariki Institute, University of Waikoto. Auckland, New Zealand, 12 October, 2004.
2005
Clutter in Indigenous Knowledge, Research and History: A Samoan Perspective. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand 25, 61-69
2007
In search for Tagaloa: Pulemelei, Samoan Mythology and Science. Archaeology in Oceania, Volume 42 Supplement, October 2007
(Eds) Pacific Indigenous Dialogue on Faith, Peace, Reconciliation and Good Governance. Government Printing Press, Ministry of Women and Social Development, Apia, Samoa.
2009
(Eds) Suesue Manogi: In Search for Fragrance Tui Atua and the Samoan Indigenous Reference. Government Printing Press, Ministry of Women and Social Development, Apia, Samoa. |
