Valasi Toogamaga Tafito

The Honourable
Valasi Toogamaga Tafito
Minister of Health
In office
24 May 2021 – 16 September 2025[a]
Prime MinisterFiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Preceded byFaimalotoa Kika Stowers
Succeeded byVaʻaaoao Salumalo Alofipo
Member of the Samoan Parliament
for Vaisigano No. 2
In office
9 April 2021 – 3 June 2025
Preceded byTapulesatele Mauteni Esera
Succeeded byMotuopuaʻa Henny Papaliʻi
In office
26 April 1996 – 31 March 2006
Preceded bySeve Ropati
Succeeded byMotuopuaʻa Uifagasa Aisoli
Personal details
PartyHuman Rights Protection Party

Valasi Luapitofanua Toogamaga Tafito Selesele is a Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister. He is a former leader of the Samoa National Democratic Party.[1][2]

Tafito was elected to the Fono as a candidate for the Samoan Democratic United Party in the 1996 Samoan general election. He was re-elected in 2001. In 2005 he was appointed party secretary.[3] He lost his seat at the 2006 election.

In August 2020 Tafito was unanimously elected leader of the Samoa National Democratic Party (SNDP).[1] Shortly afterwards the SNDP agreed an electoral alliance with the FAST party, which would see them run a single joint candidate in each electorate for the 2021 Samoan general election.[4] In October 2020 he was nominated as a candidate for FAST.[5] Preliminary results showed him winning his seat.[6]

On 24 May 2021 he was appointed Minister of Health in the elected cabinet of Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.[7] The appointment was disputed by the caretaker government. On 23 July 2021 the Court of Appeal ruled that the swearing-in ceremony was constitutional and binding, and that FAST had been the government since 24 May.[8]

In August 2021 Valasi announced that the government was considering establishing an inquiry into the 2019 Samoa measles outbreak.[9]

Prime Minister Mata‘afa called a snap election following the government's budget defeat in parliament on 27 May 2025.[10] Following the dissolution of parliament,[11] Tafito, Mata‘afa and the rest of cabinet confirmed their resignations from FAST and established the Samoa Uniting Party (SUP).[12] During the 2025 snap election, Tafito lost his seat to independent Motuopuaʻa Henny Papaliʻi.[13] Tafito's tenure as a cabinet minister ended on 16 September, and Vaʻaaoao Salumalo Alofipo succeeded him as health minister.[14]

Papaliʻi resigned from parliament in January 2026 to join the FAST party, triggering a by-election in the Vaisigano 2 constituency.[15] Tafito, having left the SUP shortly before, decided to contest the by-election and was nominated as the candidate for the Human Rights Protection Party.[16]

Notes

  1. ^ Disputed: 24 May 2021 – 23 July 2021

References

  1. ^ a b Soli Wilson (22 August 2020). "Valasi appointed S.N.D.P. leader, says party ready for 2021". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  2. ^ "First FAST Cabinet Down to Work – When the Impossible Happens". Talamua Online. 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Samoa Opposition appoints replacement after official murdered". RNZ. 14 October 2005. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  4. ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (2 September 2020). "Parties join forces ahead of General Election". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  5. ^ Soli Wilson (22 October 2020). "S.N.D.P. leader Valasi nominates for F.A.S.T." Samoa Observer. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  6. ^ Soli Wilson (10 April 2021). "Veteran M.P. Valasi returned". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  7. ^ Marieta H Ilalio (25 May 2021). "Fiame Sworn in as Prime Minister under Marquees on Parliament Grounds". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  8. ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (23 July 2021). "F.A.S.T. declared new Government as appeal upheld". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  9. ^ Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (18 August 2021). "Government considers measles inquiry". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Speaker continues in office after Parliament dissolves without fanfare". Talamua Online. Apia. 3 June 2025. Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Fiame & 15 confirm resignation and want share of FAST Funds". Talamua Online. Apia. 5 June 2025. Archived from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  13. ^ Marieta Heidi Ilalio (1 September 2025). "Independent secures Vaisigano 2 seat". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 1 September 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Laaulialemalietoa announces his first Cabinet as Samoa's Prime Minister". Samoa Global News. 16 September 2025. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  15. ^ Marieta Heidi Ilalio (20 January 2026). "Motuopua'a resigns as Vaisigano No.2 MP". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 20 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  16. ^ Marieta Heidi Ilalio (10 February 2026). "Valasi contests Vaisigano No.2 under HRPP". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
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