Fīnau Hevaha Tūtone (1938 or 1939 — 5 June 2021)[1] was a Tongan educator, civil servant, and pro-democracy activist. He was a founder of the Friendly Islands Teachers' Association[2] and the Tonga Public Service Association.

Tūtone was educated at Tupou College and worked as a teacher.[2] He later attended the University of the South Pacific where he was a member of a group of Tonga activists promoting political reform and democracy.[2]

He was the Human Rights and Democracy Movement's candidate in the 2005 Tongatapu by-election.[3]

In July 2005 he became the first president of the newly-formed Tonga Public Service Association[4] and was a leader of the 2005 Tongan public service strike.[5][6] He later served as president of the Friendly Islands Teachers Association.[7][8]

Following the 2010 Tongan general election he called for limits on the king's veto powers.[9] He was later appointed as a member of the Public Service Commission, but resigned in October 2014.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Finau Tutone, Tongan education pioneer, dies at 82". RNZ. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Education icon and democratic activist Fīnau Tūtone dies aged 82". Kaniva Tonga. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Tonga's democracy movement names by-election candidates". RNZ. 30 March 2005. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Tonga's public servants demand pay rises for their bosses be withdrawn". RNZ. 18 July 2005. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Tonga strike leader says the Government's latest moves show they know they have lost public support". RNZ. 1 September 2005. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Tongan marchers will demand interim government while commission looks into lack of democracy". RNZ. 5 September 2005. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Tongan teachers and government agree on disputes panel". RNZ. 23 January 2006. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Thinking revolutionaries". Stuff. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Tonga unionist calls for limit on King's veto". RNZ. 23 November 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Commissioners' resignation in Tonga rejected". RNZ. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2023.