Hon Afu'alo Matoto
Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise
Profile for the Hon Afu'alo Matoto
PERSONAL:
• Born on 17 February, 1946.
• Married since 1972 to Lavinia, with two daughters.
• A Christian, who attends the Constitutional Free Church of Tonga.
EDUCATION:
• Attended Government Primary School at Nomuka, Ha’apai, 1953-1956. • Attended Tonga High School, 1957-1962 and Auckland Grammar School, Auckland, NZ, 1963.
• B.A in Geography & History, University of Auckland, NZ in 1964-1967 and MA in Social Science, University of Durham, England,1970-1971.
EMPLOYMENT:
• March 2008, also became Minister for Finance & National Planning.
• July 2007, the Portfolio for Information was added. October 2006, appointed as the Minister for Public Enterprises.
• January 1999-September 2006, Managing Director, Tonga Development Bank (TDB). • Member of various Boards including the TDB, Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC), Tonga Print & Royal Tonga Airlines. Chairman of Higher Salaries Review Committee 2003-2006.
• 1983-1998, Manager of various departments of the Bank of Tonga, but mainly Manager of Credit 1986-1998 and as No.2 in the Bank relieved on occasions as General Manager. • 1977-1983, Secretary for Finance, Ministry of Finance.
• 1971-1977, Assistant Secretary for Finance and acted as Development Officer on occasions.
• 1968-1970, Assistant Teacher, Tonga High School. Coach of the 1st XV with championships in 1969 & 1970. OTHER ACTIVITIES: Sports, Business, Profession, Community Service & Religion:
• Supports most sporting activities and highly involved in rugby for many years as a player, coach and official.
• Vice President for the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and member of the Council for several years
• Alternate Director for TDB for many years
• Member of the Competent Authority, Economic Association, Tonga Society of Accountants, Tonga History Association and Government Advisory Scholarship Committee for many years
• Tutored USP courses in History, Administration and Constitutions in 1970’s. • Member of the Nuku’alofa Rotary Club since 1974 and President of Nuku’alofa Rotary Club 1982-1983, 1998-1999.
• President of Tonga High School Ex-Students Association 1987-1997, & THS Parents & Teachers Association 1989-1994
• Lay Preacher since 1975, ordained Minister of the Free Constitutional Free Church of Tonga since 1988. Sunday School Teacher, Director of Finance and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Constitutional Free Church of Tonga.
