Nivaleta Iloai was a politician from
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (; french: Wallis-et-Futuna or ', Fakauvea and Fakafutuna: '), is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji ...
. She served as the first female president of the
Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna
The Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna (French: ''Assemblée Territoriale''; Wallisian and Futunan: ''Fono fakatelituale'') is the legislature of Wallis and Futuna. It consists of 20 members, elected for a five-year term by proportional ...
from April 1 to December 11, 2013, as well as November 26, 2020 to March 25, 2022.
She was a member of the
Union socialiste pour Wallis-et-Futuna, and represented the constituency of
Hihifo. Nivaleta Iloai was replaced as president by
Petelo Hanisi in her first term, after serving only 8 full months. She was again elected president of the
Territorial Assembly
A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal.
In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or an ...
on November 26, 2020, serving for two more years until 2022. She did not contest the
2022 Wallis and Futuna Territorial Assembly election
Elections for the Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna were held on 20 March 2022 where all 20 seats were up for election.
Background
The 2017 Wallis and Futuna Territorial Assembly election saw 19 electoral lists sharing the 20 seats of the ...
, being replaced by
Munipoese Muli'aka'aka, and has not run for a government position since.
2020–2022 tenure
For her second term, Nivaleta Iloai advocated for the expansion and improved maintenance of road infrastructure, as well as clean water provision and water purification on the island of
Futuna.
However, there were major issues regarding the economic outlook of the nation under her term, as well as the cost of living and
brain-drain of the population.
During her tenure, Nivaleta Iloai faced the increased pressure of the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, as well as the refocusing of the French political landscape to Pacific security, which resulted in not only increased spending but also funding and attention.
Early events
In the 2020 vote in the
Assembly
Assembly may refer to:
Organisations and meetings
* Deliberative assembly, a gathering of members who use parliamentary procedure for making decisions
* General assembly, an official meeting of the members of an organization or of their representa ...
, Nivaleta Iloai won with 11 votes against 8 for the presidency, replacing
Atoloto Kolokilagi. She was elected alongside
Frédéric Baudry
Frédéric and Frédérick are the French versions of the common male given name Frederick. They may refer to:
In artistry:
* Frédéric Back, Canadian award-winning animator
* Frédéric Bartholdi, French sculptor
* Frédéric Bazille, Impressio ...
for vice president with 11 votes against 8, and for the post of first and second secretary,
Mikaele Seo and
Tuliano Talomafaia were elected, both with 11 votes against 8.
The start of Iloai's term was rather tumultuous. From the beginning, the President had to manage the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, as well as an epidemic of
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. These may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characterist ...
, the introduction of new currency to the islands, and strike action from
Force Ouvrière
The General Confederation of Labor - Workers' Force (french: Confédération Générale du Travail - Force Ouvrière, or simply , FO), is one of the five major union confederations in France. In terms of following, it is the third behind the CGT ...
(FO) and
Syndicat Autonome des Cadres et Employés (SACE) workers.
Early on in her tenure, before she had been ceremonially welcomed, she had to attend a ceremony for the death of
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Valéry René Marie Georges Giscard d'Estaing (, , ; 2 February 19262 December 2020), also known as Giscard or VGE, was a French politician who served as President of France from 1974 to 1981.
After serving as Minister of Finance under prime ...
, first
President of the Republic to have visited
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (; french: Wallis-et-Futuna or ', Fakauvea and Fakafutuna: '), is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji ...
.
On December 4, Nivaleta Iloai's
Union socialiste pour Wallis-et-Futuna party oversaw the expansion of the national budget to 3.865 billion
Pacific francs, an increase of 282 million. For 2021, the operating budget was also enlarged to 3.527 billion francs, with 338 million additionally allocated for local investment.
On December 7, Nivaleta Iloai arrived in
Futuna to officially present her new office to the authorities. The delegation was made up of Senator
Mikaele Kulimoetoke
Mikaele Kulimoetoke (born 17 June 1963) is a Wallisian politician and member of the Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna. He was president of the Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna from 2014 to 2017. He has represented Wallis and Futun ...
, Vice President
Baudry Frédéric, Secretaries
Mikaele Seo and
Tuliano Talomafaia, and President of the Standing Committee
Mireille Laufilitoga
Mireille Laufilitoga is a politician from Wallis and Futuna. She has been a member of the Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna since 2012, serving as president of the Permanent Committee from 2017 to 2022. An independent, she represents the Mu ...
. The formal visit took place the following day, with the first visit to the kingdom of
Sigavé. Here the President met
King Keleta'ona and his chieftaincies,
Safeitoga and Manafa, in
Fiua
Fiua is a village in Wallis and Futuna. It is located in Sigave District
Sigavé (also Singave or Sigave) is one of the three official chiefdoms of the French territory of Wallis and Futuna in Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. (The other two ch ...
, with the members then witnessing a kava ceremony performed for the occasion. The ceremonial visit continued in the kingdom of
Alo. In Fale, Nivaleta Iloai met
King Tui'agaifo and his chiefdom, exchanging pleasantries and welcoming the development of the kingdom and wider islands.
2021
Covid-19
In April, the President attended the online meeting discussing the "Management of the health crisis linked to Covid-19 in New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna", hosted by multiple
French Overseas Territories
Overseas France (french: France d'outre-mer) consists of 13 French-administered territories outside Europe, mostly the remains of the French colonial empire that chose to remain a part of the French state under various statuses after decolon ...
including
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (; french: Wallis-et-Futuna or ', Fakauvea and Fakafutuna: '), is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji ...
. Chaired by
Tematai Le Gayic
Tematai Le Gayic (11 October, 2000) is a French Polynesian politician and member of the French National Assembly. He is the youngest deputy in the French Fifth Republic. He is a member of Tavini Huiraatira, and sits with the New Ecologic and Soci ...
, President of
AEPFP (Association of Students of French Polynesia in Paris) Nivaleta Iloai was joined by
Thierry Santa, President of the Government of
New Caledonia
)
, anthem = ""
, image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg
, map_alt = Location of New Caledonia
, map_caption = Location of New Caledonia
, mapsize = 290px
, subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...
and
Christelle Lehartel, Minister of Education and representing the President of
French Polynesia
)Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze")
, anthem =
, song_type = Regional anthem
, song = " Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui"
, image_map = French Polynesia on the globe (French Polynesia centered).svg
, map_alt = Location of Frenc ...
,
Edouard Fritch.
During the meeting, Nivaleta Iloai and
Thierry Santa jointly explained the need for their territories to be "Covid Free" and to be vaccinated en masse. They expressed the concern to improve communication towards the public, trying to better explain
social media misinformation as well as the surprise suspension of the
AstraZeneca vaccine. President Nivaleta Iloai also emphasized that no one is obliged to be vaccinated, but would try to remove
vaccine hesitancy
Vaccine hesitancy is a delay in acceptance, or refusal, of vaccines despite the availability of vaccine services and supporting evidence. The term covers refusals to vaccinate, delaying vaccines, accepting vaccines but remaining uncertain abou ...
by having officials vaccinated. There was also the announcement that 18,000
Pfizer vaccines had been sent to
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (; french: Wallis-et-Futuna or ', Fakauvea and Fakafutuna: '), is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji ...
.
For violence against women, the President downplayed it stating that no case of violence against women for coordinating the health crisis had been reported in the
islands. This contradicted
Thierry Santa, who said that in
New Caledonia
)
, anthem = ""
, image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg
, map_alt = Location of New Caledonia
, map_caption = Location of New Caledonia
, mapsize = 290px
, subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...
, violence was “really a scourge” with “a 25% increase in violence" and
Christelle Lehartel recognising a "slight rise" in domestic violence, with the sale of alcohol being prohibited.
In terms of economic recovery from COVID-19, the President explained the loan granted by the French State makes it possible to lend to companies with at least two years of activity and the presentation of two financial statements, and partial aid for closed companies.
Other events
On May 3, Nivaleta Iloai was an invited member to the 7th
Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women hosted by the
Pacific Community. Over three days the meeting discussed the empowerment of women and ensuring that all women have access to and control over their resources, health, livelihoods, and lives.
In July, President Nivaleta participated in a video conference with the President of the
South Province,
Sonia Backes. The meeting ended with the signing of a letter of intent between the
Territory
A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal.
In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or a ...
and the
South Province for increased cooperation between the islands, with an importance on the exchange of youth institutions. It is mainly aimed at initiating the youth of each of the territories to the democratic system and the construction of free thought.
French presidential visit
In preparation and during
President Macron
Emmanuel Macron (; born 21 December 1977) is a French politician who has served as President of France since 2017. ''Ex officio'', he is also one of the two Co-Princes of Andorra. Prior to his presidency, Macron served as Minister of Econo ...
's visit to
France's Pacific territories, Nivaleta Iloai engaged in many international and regional events and meetings.
She was among fifteen other leaders, including eight heads of state and government such as Australian
Scott Morrison and those of the
Cook Islands
)
, image_map = Cook Islands on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg
, capital = Avarua
, coordinates =
, largest_city = Avarua
, official_languages =
, lan ...
,
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
,
Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands ( mh, Ṃajeḷ), officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands ( mh, Aolepān Aorōkin Ṃajeḷ),'' () is an independent island country and microstate near the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, slightly west of the Internati ...
and
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...
, to attend the fifth
France-Oceania summit. During this event, a new coast guard partnership was announced, aimed at strengthening against illegal shipping in the region and improving maritime safety. Climate was also an important topic, with
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
sending more funds to increase its funding for programs to protect ecosystems, such as the
Kiwa initiative and coral reef protection. There was also talk to make financial efforts to improve "connectivity" in the
Pacific region with the aim of strengthening the "integration" of its overseas territories.
During
President Macron
Emmanuel Macron (; born 21 December 1977) is a French politician who has served as President of France since 2017. ''Ex officio'', he is also one of the two Co-Princes of Andorra. Prior to his presidency, Macron served as Minister of Econo ...
's visit to the
Wallis and Futuna Islands
Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (; french: Wallis-et-Futuna or ', Fakauvea and Fakafutuna: '), is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fij ...
, he gave respect to the ancestral history of the Indigenous people, as well as gave his "respectful" and "affectionate greetings" to the
President of the Territorial Assembly, Nivaleta Iloai, to the
Lavelua
The King of Uvea is known as the Lavelua.
This is a list of the rulers of the polity of Uvea, which is also known as Wallis Island of the Territory of Wallis and Futuna Islands.
First Dynasty from Tu'i Tonga
The first dynasty reigned from a ...
of
Uvea
The uvea (; Lat. ''uva'', "grape"), also called the ''uveal layer'', ''uveal coat'', ''uveal tract'', ''vascular tunic'' or ''vascular layer'' is the pigmented middle of the three concentric layers that make up an eye.
History and etymolog ...
, to the
Tuiaga'ifo King of
Alo, and to the
Keleta'ona de
Sigave.
2022 election
In the
2022 Wallis and Futuna Territorial Assembly election
Elections for the Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna were held on 20 March 2022 where all 20 seats were up for election.
Background
The 2017 Wallis and Futuna Territorial Assembly election saw 19 electoral lists sharing the 20 seats of the ...
, Nivaleta Iloai did not contest the presidency, not running for any representative listing.
This resulted in the unanimous election of
Munipoese Muli'aka'aka to the presidency.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Iloai, Nivaleta
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Presidents of the Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna women in politics
Women legislative speakers
21st-century French women politicians