At the close of nominations for the general election 2023 at 12 midday today, a total of 25 nomination forms were received at the Electoral Office for the 14 village seats and 17 candidates will be competing for the Six Common Roll seats.
At 12.30pm today, the Chief Electoral Officer Darren Tohovaka declared the following candidates for six villages duly elected. Five incumbent members will return to the 18th Legislative Assembly including Premier Dalton Emani Tagelagi of Alofi South, Minister Esa Mona Sharon Ainuu of Tuapa, Richie Mautama of Hakupu, Dion Paki Taufitu of Toi, Talaititama Talaiti of Vaiea and the new member for the village of Namukulu, Sione Silapea Sionetuato.
Here are the names of the candidates vying for a seat in the 18th Niue Legislative Assembly.
For the village seats,
Alofi South – Dalton Emani Tagelagi
Alofi North – Tutuli Heka, Alan Tano Puleoti mo Stanley Fredrick Tafafu
Makefu – Tioneatali Kemusiaki Lolani mo Tofua Puletama
Tuapa – Esa Sharon Mona Ainuu
Namukulu – Sione Silapea Sionetuato
Hikutavake -Ian Hipa, Masiniholo Lagaloga mo Opili Talafai
Toi – Dion Paki Taufitu
Mutalau – Makaseau Ioane mo Florence Maureen Melekitama
Lakepa – Shield Palahetogia mo Rhonda Linaone Tiakia
Liku – Sionetasi Pulehetoa mo Logopati Seumanu
Hakupu – Richie Mautama
Vaiea – Talaititama Talaiti
Avatele – Ketiligi Saniteli Fereti, Hetututama Speedo Hetutu mo Pita Poimamao Vakanofiti
Tamakautonga – Peter Andrew Funaki mo Ricky Muimuiaki Makani
For the Common Roll seats, there are 17 candidates in total, 10 men and 7 women. Nine are new names to the ballot, three incumbents are seeking re-election, three former ministers who want to try again, and a former New Zealand High Commissioner to Niue.
Here are the candidates vying for one of the 6 Common Roll seats
Fapoi Akesi
Mark Herbert Blumsky
Terry Donald Coe
Emani Haile Fakaotimanava-Lui
Julie Sophai Funaki-Talagi
Sinahemana Hekau
O’love Tauveve Jacobsen
Ettie Lotomaanu Pasene-Mizziebo
Fisa Igilise Pihigia
Victoria Posimani-Kalauni
Togia Likalika Sioneholo
Billy Graham Talagi
Sonya Talagi
Crossley Tatui
Charles Tohovaka
Birtha Richmond Tongahai
Tamuta Utalo
The candidates have until Thursday next week the 20th of April to decide if they wish to withdraw their candidacy. If candidates withdraw they will be reimbursed their $200 nomination fee.