Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Niue’s Premier drops former finance minister from Cabinet

Posted at 19:34 on 15 May, 2005 UTC

Niue’s Premier Young Vivian has dumped former finance minister Toke Talagi from his new Cabinet line-up.

But he has retained former Ministers Bill Vakaafi Motufoou and Fisa Pihigia and added a woman, Va’inga Tukuitoga, to his Cabinet.

Mr Talagi, who won his common roll seat by having his name drawn from a hat after a tie in voting, was keen to retain his former job.

He said he had developed a good relationship with New Zealand and had set the economy off to a good start after Cyclone Heta.

Mr Vivian will look after finance for the time being.

Mrs Tukuitoga, a former teacher, has been allocated education and culture; Vakaafi Motufoou retains agriculture and fisheries and has been allocated telecommunications and Mr Pihigia retains health and community affairs.