Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell
Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Sports & Recreation | |
| In office 1 October 2023 – 16 September 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Seuamuli Fasi Toma |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Safata No. 2 | |
| In office 26 November 2021 – 3 June 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Nonu Lose Niumata |
| Succeeded by | Tuia Fuatogi Puʻa Letoa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1967 or 1968[1] |
| Died | 11 January 2026 |
| Party | Samoa Uniting Party |
| Other political affiliations | Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (until 2025) |
Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell (1967 or 1968 – 11 January 2026) was a Samoan politician who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, and was minister of sports and recreation from 2023 to 2025. He was a member of the Samoa Uniting Party (SUP).
Life and career
Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell was educated at Saint Joseph's College and was a police officer.[1] He later worked for the Samoa Shipping Corporation.[1] He first ran for election at the 2016 Samoan general election as a candidate for the Human Rights Protection Party.[2] He switched allegiance to the FAST Party to contest the 2021 election, but lost to Nonu Lose Niumata. He subsequently lodged an election petition, resulting in Nonu resigning in a settlement.[3] Both candidates contested the resulting by-election, with Laumatiamanu winning by over 100 votes.[4]
In a cabinet reshuffle on 6 September 2023 he was appointed Minister of Sports & Recreation.[5]
Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa called a snap election following the government's budget defeat in parliament on 27 May 2025.[6] Purcell ran as an SUP candidate at the 2025 election but lost his seat to Tuia Fuatogi Puʻa Letoa of the HRPP.[7] Purcell's tenure as minister concluded on 16 September, and he was succeeded by Seuamuli Fasi Toma.[8]
Purcell died on 11 January 2026.[9]
References
- ^ a b c Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (24 August 2020). "Farmer, former cop eyes Safata East Constituency". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (7 November 2021). "Laumatiamanu ready for rematch". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ Soli Wilson (14 July 2021). "Former MP resigns; Safata No. 2 back to polls". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (26 November 2021). "Laumatiamanu rises in Safata No. 2 battle". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Samoa Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Reshuffle: New Finance Minister and Two Additional Ministers". Samoa Global News. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai (10 June 2025). "Samoa head of state issues official election writ". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ "Ten caretaker ministers lose seats". Samoa Observer. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Laaulialemalietoa announces his first Cabinet as Samoa's Prime Minister". Samoa Global News. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell passes away". Samoa Observer. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 11 January 2026.