Mr Pohiva got 14 votes in the 26 member House, with the only other contender, former deputy prime minister Siaosi Sovaleni getting 12.
The result was announced by the interim speaker Lord Tangi after he presented the results of yesterday's secret ballot to the King.
Mr Pohiva's Democratic party had a resounding victory in the November election, winning 14 of the 17 People's Representatives seats.
