Lisiate ʻAkolo

Lisiate ʻAloveita ʻAkolo is a Tongan politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga and former Minister of Finance in the Tongan Cabinet.

Lisiate ʻAkolo
Minister for Finance and National Planning
In office 1 May 2012 – 9 January 2014
Prime Minister	Lord Tuʻivakano
Preceded by	Sunia Fili
Succeeded by	ʻAisake Eke
Member of Parliament for Vavaʻu 14
In office 26 November 2010 – 27 November 2014
Preceded by	none (constituency established)
Succeeded by	Saia Piukala

Lisiate is a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington and American University.^[1] He worked for the Tonga Commodities Board and Tongan Development Bank, before becoming CEO of the South Pacific Tourism Organization in 2000.^[1]

In October 2006 he was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries, under Prime Minister Feleti Sevele.^[1]

He stood in the 2010 election in the seat of Vavaʻu 14 and was successful. New Prime Minister Lord Tuʻivakanō retained him in Cabinet as Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries.^[2] On September 1, 2011, he was reshuffled to the Ministry for Police, Prisons and Fire Services.^[3] On May 1, 2012, at his own request, he was reshuffled to the position of Minister of Finance.^[4][5][6][7]

He developed a reputation as a financial conservative who didn't want to see Tonga overwhelmed by debt repayments.^[8] He was also the lead Spokesperson for Pacific ACP States' negotiations with the European Union on a comprehensive Economic partnership agreement.^[9]

On 9 January 2014, ʻAkolo was fired from his position as Minister for Finance after publicly criticizing aspects of the budget.^[8] He was replaced by ʻAisake Eke.^[10]

Honours

National honours

• Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Grand Cross (31 July 2008).^[11]