Prince Fatafehi Tuûipelehake OBE (Sione Ngà « Manumataongo; 7 January 1922 â 10 April 1999) was the youngest son of Queen SÃÂlote Tupou III of Tonga. He was the prime minister of Tonga from 1965 to 1991, a record tenure of over 25 years, serving under his brother King TÃÂufaûÃÂhau Tupou IV.
Tuûi Pelehake attended Newington College, Sydney, (1941âÂÂ1942) and Gatton Agricultural College, Queensland, Australia. On 10 June 1947, Fatafehi married Melenaite Tupoumoheofo Veikune (13 November 1924 â 16 March 1993) in a double marriage ceremony () with his older brother, the Crown Prince (at the time known as Tupoutoûa-Tungë), who also married Halaevalu Mataûaho ûAhomeûe. He received the title Tuûi Pelehake (Fatafehi) from his mother (Queen SÃÂlote) in 1944, and he also received the second-highest title of Tonga, Tuûi Faleua (king of the second house).
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 Vavaûu (1949âÂÂ1952), later of Haûapai (1952âÂÂ1953), 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 prime minister until he resigned in 1991 due to serious health problems. His last years were spent in a wheelchair on a life support system.
The titles that he kept, Tuûi Pelehake and Tuûi Faleua, eventually became synonymous with him. After his death, only the former was conferred to his son ûUluvalu, while the latter returned to the king.
He died on 10 April 1999 in Auckland after a long illness.
Besides his son who inherited his positions, he also had four daughters and two sons: