Mauʻu Siaosi Puʻepuʻemai

Mauʻu Siaosi Puʻepuʻemai (born ca. 1972)[1] is a Samoan politician. He is a member of the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party.

Mauʻu Siaosi Puʻepuʻemai
Member of the Samoan Parliament for Vaʻa-o-Fonoti
Assumed office
24 October 2023
Preceded byVacant
In office
9 April 2021 – 19 July 2023
Preceded byTialavea Tionisio Hunt
Succeeded byVacant
Personal details
Political party

Mauʻu was raised in Fagaloa before moving to American Samoa.[1] After returning to Samoa in the 1990s he opened a pizza shop, car rental business, and kava farm.[1][2] He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the April 2021 Samoan general election, defeating four other candidates to win the seat of Vaʻa o Fonoti.[1]

Maʻu resigned from the HRPP on 25 November 2022 to become an independent, citing a request to do so by his constituents.[3] Following a court challenge, their seats were declared vacant on 19 July 2023.[4] He was subsequently endorsed as a FAST candidate in the resulting by-election.[5] Mauʻu won with a commanding majority. His win, along with FAST victories in the simultaneous by-elections in the Siʻumu and Faleata No. 4 constituencies, handed FAST a two-thirds majority in parliament.[6] Mauʻu was sworn back into parliament on 24 October 2023.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Soli Wilson (15 April 2021). "Mauʻu guaranteed a seat in XVII Parliament". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Fake kava warning". Fiji Times. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  3. ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Another HRPP Member of Parliament resigns". Talamua Online. Apia. 25 November 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  4. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (19 July 2023). "MPs Ale, Tuu'u and Mau'u to head to by-election". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  5. ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (21 July 2023). "F.A.S.T. to endorse resigned M.Ps". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  6. ^ Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (16 September 2023). "F.A.S.T. trio dominate poll results". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  7. ^ Lagi Keresoma (24 October 2023). "Three New FAST Members of Parliament Sworn-In". Talamua Online. Apia. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
Legislative Assembly of Samoa
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Vaʻa-o-Fonoti
2021–2023
Vacant
Title next held by
Himself
Vacant
Title last held by
Himself
Member of Parliament for Vaʻa-o-Fonoti
2023–present
Incumbent