Natano Ministry Explained

The Natano Ministry was the 15th ministry of the Government of Tuvalu, led by Prime Minister Kausea Natano. It succeeded the Sopoaga Ministry upon its swearing in by the acting Governor-General, Mrs. Teniku Talesi Honolulu, on 18 September 2019.^{[1] [2]}

Natano served as a Minister for Public Utilities and Industries in the Ielemia Ministry (2006-2010); and he was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Transport and Public Utilities in the Telavi Ministry (2010–2013).

Cabinet

See also: Cabinet of Tuvalu. Mrs. Teniku Talesi Honolulu, the acting Governor-General of Tuvalu convened the Parliament of Tuvalu to meet on 19 September 2019, at which Kausea Natano was elected as Prime Minister of Tuvalu.^[3] Natano appointed the members of the Cabinet,^{[4] [5]} which met for the first time on 20 September 2019.^[6]

Portfolio	Minister	Constituency	Notes
Prime Minister	Kausea Natano	Funafuti
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Fisheries & Trade	Minute Alapati Taupo	Nanumaga	Died 23 May 2022.[7]
		Nanumaga	Elected in the by-election held on 15 July 2022 and then appointed to the cabinet.[8] [9]
Minister for Justice, Communication & Foreign Affairs	Simon Kofe[10]	Funafuti	Kofe resigned in July 2023 to focus on the parliamentary work to amend the Constitution.[11]
	Panapasi Nelesoni	Nukufetau	Appointed in August 2023.[12] [13]
Minister for Education, Youth & Sports	Timi Melei	Nanumea
Minister for Public Utilities & Environment	Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu	Nanumea
Minister of Finance	Seve Paeniu[14] [15]	Nukulaelae
Minister for Health, Social Welfare & Gender	Isaia Taape	Vaitupu
Minister for Home Affairs & Agriculture	Katepu Laoi	Niutao	Died in April 2022.[16]
	Sa'aga Talu Teafa[17]	Niutao	Won the Niutao by-election on 6 June 2022 following the death of Katepu Laoi.[18]
Minister for Transport, Energy & Tourism	Nielu Meisake	Vaitupu

Notes and References

1. Web site: PINA. New Tuvalu PM will not attend UN Climate Summit in New York. 18 September 2019. 4 October 2019.
2. Web site: Pareti . Samisoni . Islands Business . Natano gets PM nomination . 16 September 2019 . 5 January 2021 .
3. Web site: Pareti . Samisoni . Islands Business . Natano gets PM nomination . 16 September 2019 . 5 January 2021 .
4. Web site: New Tuvalu Government suspends Chief Justice. Pacific Islands News Association (PINA). 23 September 2019. 16 October 2019.
5. Web site: Samisoni . Pareti . Island Business. Tuvalu's new PM is Kausea Natano . 19 September 2019. 12 November 2019.
6. Web site: Radio New Zealand. Climate advocacy, Taiwan to remain priorities for new Tuvalu government . 23 September 2019. 23 September 2019.
7. Web site: Radio New Zealand. Tuvalu mourns Deputy Prime Minister. 25 May 2022 . 15 February 2024.
8. Web site: Pita . Ligaiula . Chair of the Tuvalu Broadcasting Corporation wins Nanumaga by-election. Pacific News Service/Radio Tuvalu. 16 July 2022. 8 Feb 2023.
9. Web site: Tuvalu - Heads of Government Listing. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia. 2022 . 9 February 2021.
10. Web site: New Foreign Minister Simon Kofe says Tuvalu committed to Taiwan. Australian broadcasting Corporation . 25 September 2019. 4 October 2019.
11. Web site: Wright . Stephen . Pacific climate campaigner resigns as Tuvalu foreign minister. Benar News . 30 July 2023 . 27 November 2023.
12. News: Pacific news in brief: Tuvalu - minister resigns . Radio New Zealand . 31 July 2023. 29 January 2024.
13. News: MFAT Document Schedule Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting . Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade of New Zealand . 14 September 2023 . 29 January 2024.
14. Web site: Asian Development Bank . Directory: Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank. 2019. 10 November 2019.
15. Web site: International Monetary Fund - Governor's Statement No. 19 . Statement by the Hon. Seve Paeniu, Governor of the Bank and the Fund for Tuvalu. 18 October 2019. 10 November 2019.
16. News: Tuvalu Department of Health. FB . April 2022 . 29 January 2024.
17. News: MOFA welcomes Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano and Madam Selepa Kausea Natano on their state visit to Taiwan from September 3-9 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) . 5 September 2022 . 29 January 2024.
18. Web site: Niutao By-Election Result . Tuvalu.TV . 30 January 2024 . 6 June 2022.