Former MP & former SOG Richard Hipa passed away in New Zealand

Former Secretary to government and former Common Roll MP Richard Starkie Hipa passed away at Auckland Hospital two days ago, on the 20th of January. He was 68 years old. 

Richard Hipa is one of the Niue governments most distinguished public servants with a career that started with the Department of Post and Telecommunications. 

He was one of the youngest public servants to head a government department. He became the Director of the Department of Post and Telecommunications, a role he held for almost twenty years. In 2008 he became the Secretary to Government, a role he carried until 2017. 

Richard Hipa was also a long serving member and leader of the Alofi North Village Council. He was also a vocal voice as the president of the Public Service Association and was an active leader in the local school community on the PTA.

In 2020 Richard Hipa entered politics for the first time, topping the Common Roll. However his political career was short lived when he was medivacced to Auckland in August 2021. 

Since then most of his family relocated to New Zealand to be with Richard who never fully recovered.

Richard Hipa was also a part of the BCN family, waking up the nation on Saturday mornings to his favourites like Barry White and Tom Jones. He worked on Radio Sunshine as an announcer for more than 20 years. 

He passed away peacefully at Auckland Hospital surrounded by his family, the day after he turned 68 years old. 

Richard Hipa is survived by his wife Mokahega, his nine children and their families.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Richard Starkie Hipa and thank him for his honourable and distinguished career in service to Niue and her people. 

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