Takelesi Lagaluga

Who was Takelesi Lagaluga?

Takelesi Lagaluga. JP. was a Niuean administrator, politician and respected elder from the village of Avatele. He served the Government of Niue for 40yrs, firstly as a Clerk to the Resident Commissioner then redeployed to the island's multi-functional Post Office rising to the position of Chief Postmaster in 1956 making him the first Niuean to Head a Government Department in the colonial administration. He retired in 1980 and entered Parliament as a Common Roll member serving one term.

In his community of Avatele, he is remembered as a keen and avid planter, hunter and fisherman. He served in various capacities in the Village Council including as its Chairman for several terms and also served as the village Harbormaster for many years. A patron of the Church, he served as a Deacon of Ekalesia Avatele for 43 years and Head Elder for 24 years retiring from this post in 2006 at the age of 82. He was married to Iola Lohana Ikimotu for 55 years and had 8 children. Upon his death in 2009, he was given a state funeral and mourned by countless Niueans in Niue and in New Zealand & Australia where memorial services were also held by his children and families. The Premier of Niue, Hon. Toke Tufukia Talagi said of his death, "Another of our mighty ovava, a benevolent man, an extraordinary citizen and a respected tupuna, has fallen. We shall remember him in our hearts and in our prayers."