Tomu Sione


Sir Tomu Malaefone Sione was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He worked as a journalist from 1962–68. He was the head of the southern Niutao clan. He was married to Segali.

Member of Parliament

Tomu Sione was first elected to represent the constituency of Niutao in the House of Representatives of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony in the general election of 1971. He was re-elected in the general election of 1974. Following the separation of Tuvalu from Kiribati he served in the House of Assembly of the Colony of Tuvalu. From 1975 to 1978 he was the minister for commerce and natural resources in the cabinet of the Chief Minister Toalipi Lauti.
Following independence Tomu Sione was elected to represent the constituency of Niutao in the Parliament of Tuvalu in the elections held on 27 August 1977.

Governor-General

Sione served as Governor-General of Tuvalu from 1993–1994, as the representative of Elizabeth II, Queen of Tuvalu.

Later political career

Somewhat unusually for a former Governor-General, after standing down from this office, Sione later stood again for parliament. He was elected by the constituency of Niutao and served as Speaker of the Parliament from 1998 to 2002.
He was created GCMG in 2001.
Sione lost his seat in the 2002 general election, however he was re-elected in the 2006 Tuvaluan general election and was subsequent appointed as chairman of the parliamentary caucus in the Administration of Prime Minister of Tuvalu Apisai Ielemia.
He represented the constituency of Niutao until the 2010 Tuvaluan general election.

Unsuccessful attempt at political comeback

Having been out of parliament for 5 years, he was a candidate in the 2015 Tuvaluan general election and received 300 votes, but was not elected.