Fatafehi Fakafānua

Fatafehi Fakafānua, 8th Lord Fakafānua, known before ascending to his title as Fatafehi Kinikinilau Lolomana‘ia Fakafānua (born 20 March 1985), is a Tongan politician and noble who was elected Prime Minister following the 2025 general election.

Fakafānua was first elected to the Legislative Assembly as a member of the nobility in 2008. He served as Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly from 2012 to 2014 and from 2017 to 2025. Fakafānua is an extended member of the Tongan royal family.

Biography

He is the son of Princess Sinaitakala of Tonga and Kinikinilau Tūtoatasi, who was the 7th Lord Fakafānua and estate holder of Maʻufanga. He has a brother, Fakaola mei Langi ʻItafuaʻatonga Tūtoatasi Fakafānua and a sister, Sinaitakala Tu‘imatamoana ‘i Fanakavakilangi Fakafānua, who is married to Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala.

He was bestowed with the title Fakafānua, one of the thirty-three hereditary titles of the Tongan nobility, in April 2006. The title is attached to the estates of Maʻufanga (on Tongatapu), Ngaʻakau (on Vavaʻu) and Faleloa (on Haʻapai), and enables its holder to be elected to the Legislative Assembly as a representative of the nobility. At a 2008 by-election, he was elected as a representative for Haʻapai, making the youngest member of the Tongan Parliament. He was re-elected in the November 2010 general election.

On 19 July 2012 Fakafānua was elected Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly following Lord Lasike's removal from office, becoming Tonga's youngest ever Speaker. As Speaker he held a "practice parliament" to encourage women to participate in politics. He lost his seat at the 2014 election. At the 2017 election, he regained his seat and was re-elected Speaker. Following the 2021 election, he was re-elected Speaker for a third term.

Following the 2025 election, Fakafānua was elected prime minister on 15 December, receiving 16 votes. He defeated the incumbent, ʻAisake Eke, who garnered the support of 10 MPs. Fakafānua became the second nobles' representative to be elected head of government since democratisation.

Personal life

On 15 October 2014, he married Krystal Fane Kite, daughter of Tonga's former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, then Ambassador to the United States, Sione Kite.^{[citation needed]}

Honours

National honours

Knight Commander of the Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III (31 July 2008).