Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tonga’s PM accepts resignation of Akilisi Pohiva from ministerial post

Posted at 21:28 on 14 January, 2011 UTC

The Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Tu’ivakano, has accepted the resignation Akilisi Pohiva from his ministerial post as Minister of Health.

Akilisi Pohiva resigned as health minister, less than two weeks after being appointed.

Mr Pohiva has expressed disappointment at his party being given only two out of the 11 ministries in the government announced by the new prime minister, Lord Tu’ivakano, late last month.

Akilisi Pohiva’s resignation leaves just one party member, Isileli Pulu, in cabinet.

In a statement, the Prime Minister says he is authorised to nominate from outside the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of up to four ministerial appointments.

Lord Tu’ivakano says Mr Pohiva could not abide with the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility, which is a fundamental principle of the operation of Cabinets in democratic countries.

He says he extends Mr Pohiva his best wishes.