Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake

He died on 10 April 1999 in Auckland after a long illness.

From a non-traditional side, he was conferred an honorary CBE in 1966. He inherited from his mother an artistic side; he was a well-known poet and composer.

His career was with his brother in the government. His first assignment was as governor of Vavaʻu (1949–1952), later of Haʻapai (1952–1953), and he then served as Minister of Health and Lands. In 1965 he took over as Prime Minister of Tonga when his brother had to vacate the post on becoming king. He remained in this post until he had to withdraw in 1991 because of serious health problems. His last years were spent in a wheelchair on a life support system.

Tuʻi Pelehake attended Newington College, Sydney, (1941–1942) and Gatton Agricultural College, Queensland, Australia. Fatafehi married Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune (13 November 1924 – 16 March 1993) on the same day as his older brother, the Crown Prince (in that time still called Tupoutoʻa-Tungī) married Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe. That was the famous double royal wedding (taʻane māhanga) of 10 June 1947. He received the title Tuʻi Pelehake (Fatafehi) from his mother (Queen Salote) in 1944, and he also received the runner up highest title of Tonga of Tuʻi Faleua (king of the second house).

Prince Fatafehi Tuʻipelehake (Sione Ngū Manumataongo; 7 January 1922 – 10 April 1999) was the youngest son of Queen Sālote Tupou III and was educated in Tonga and Australia. Tu'ipelehake is a traditional very high-ranking Tongan title. He was the 5th Tu'ipelehake.