M.P. Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang Remembered As Creative, Talented
Member of Parliament for Vaimauga No. 3, Tapunuu Papalii Niko Lee Hang.
Photo: Parliament of Samoa
The late Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Vaimauga No. 3 Tapunuu Papalii Niko Lee Hang is remembered as creative and talented.
It was difficult for his close friend, colleague and leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi to speak about Tapunuu’s passing during a press conference that was convened on Tuesday.
Last week, the Vaimauga No. 3 M.P. was in New Zealand Aotearoa for medical purposes, Tuilaepa told reporters.
Tapunuu had just returned to Samoa on Monday evening.
The Lee Hang family was in a happy, celebratory mood on Monday but sadly the celebration did not last long, Tuilaepa said.
His death early Tuesday morning at the age of 83 shocked Tuilaepa and fellow party members at the H.R.P.P.
“This morning we were shocked, me and the party, to receive the sad news of the passing of Member of Parliament (M.P.) Papalii Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang,” the H.R.P.P. leader said.
“He just returned from New Zealand last night and was greeted happily by his family. He was in New Zealand for medical treatments and I met with Papalii and other M.P.s who were in New Zealand medical purposes and for faalavelave.”
Tuilaepa, Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, was in New Zealand for a meeting of the World Rugby Union Council.
He met with Tapunuu upon his return to Samoa.
“I met with Tapunuu upon his return after his medical treatments. He was having a great time with his family last night without the knowledge that this morning he would leave us,” Tuilaepa said.
“I was there last evening and this morning with members of the H.R.P.P. to comfort his wife and family.”
Tapunuu served Samoa in a number of capacities, as a Cabinet Minister twice – Minister of Finance (M.O.F.) and Minister of Works, Transportation and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.) under the H.R.P.P. administration.
“He had many duties,” Tuilaepa said.
In Parliament XVI, Tapunuu was Minister of Works and spearheaded many big government projects.
“Many of the big projects implemented by government were spearheaded by Papalii. He was trusted with many duties. He had two degrees, a bachelors degree and a masters degree,” Tuilaepa said.
Tapunuu worked many years for the Western Samoa Life Assurance Corporation (WESTLAC) that was established in 1976. WESTLAC is now the Samoa Life Assurance Corporation (Samoa Life).
“Then he oversaw the MO.F. and the M.W.T.I. when I was prime minister. That is why he was chosen for these jobs – he had the talent. He was creative. This morning, God called the M.P,” Tuilaepa said.
“On behalf of the Human Rights Protection Party, I express my condolences to his wife and children for their sudden loss.”
Tapunuu passed away during his fifth consecutive term in Parliament.
He was first elected as an M.P. in 2001 through a by-election.
Tapunuu was re-elected at the 2006 election and appointed Finance Minister.
In 2011, he was again re-elected but replaced as Finance Minister by Faumuina Tiatia Liuga.
In 2016 he was appointed Minister of Works.
The Vaimauga No.3 constituency includes the following villages: Magiagi, Vailima, Fa’ato’ia, Vini, Ma’agao, Magiagi-Uta, Lelata, Letava, Matautu-Tai, Matautu-Uta, Leone, Vaisigano, Vaoala, Afiamalu, Afiamalu- Sisifo, Papaloloa, Papauta, Tanugamanono, Tiapapata, Avele, Nafanua, Tanumaleko, Malololelei and Tiavi.
Under the law, there will be a by-election for the Vaimauga No. 3 electoral constituency.
Funeral details for Tapunuu are pending and will be announced at a late date, Tuilaepa said.