Viliami Manuopangai Hingano

Hingano passed away on Friday, 10 June 2022, at the Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand after an illness.

He was appointed as the Government of Tonga’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, on 28 December 2021.

“The Prime Minister the Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, extends his deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, to the late Cabinet minister’s family,” the statement said.

“May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, be with the family during this difficult time.

Viliami Manuopangai Hingano became the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when the new government came to power at the end of last year.

In a statement the Prime Minister's Office said it is with profound sadness that they announce Mr Hingano's death.

The Prime Minister, Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, extended his deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the minister's family on behalf of the government.

He said the death is an immense loss to Tonga.

The death places the Tonga Government in a difficult position.