Robert Rex
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert Richmond Rex, KBE, CMG, (25 January 190912 December 1992) was Premier of the Pacific island state of Niue
from its establishment as a self-governing territory 19 October 1974 until his death in 1992. Upon his death in office, he was succeeded by Mititaiagimene Young Vivian
, until General Elections the following year resulted in the election of Frank Fakaotimanava Lui
into office. Having served 18 years in office, he is Niue's longest serving Premier and most probably the Pacific's longest serving head of a Government. Sir Robert became the first Niuean to receive knighthood in 1984.
Although he was opposed to party politics on Niue
, he was supported by the Niue People's Action Party after its formation in 1987.
During his almost two decades in office, Sir Robert held virtually all Government ministerial portfolios from time to time. His Cabinet of Ministers included prominent Niuean figures such as Dr. Enetama Lipitoa, Mititaiagimene Young Vivian
& Frank Fakaotimanava Lui, the latter two both went on to become respectable Premiers of Niue.
He is the great uncle of the rugby player Frank Bunce
.
Sir Robert was born to parents Leslie Lucas R Rex, a European trader on Niue, and Fisimonomono Tufaina of Avatele
Village in the south of Niue. He later settled down in Alofi, the capital of Niue, with his wife of that village, Lady Tuagatagaloa, Lady Rex QSM
(1918 - 2004).
Niue
Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...
from its establishment as a self-governing territory 19 October 1974 until his death in 1992. Upon his death in office, he was succeeded by Mititaiagimene Young Vivian
Young Vivian
Mititaiagimene Young Vivian is a Niuean politician who has twice been the premier of his country. Representing the Niue People's Action Party, he defeated sitting premier Sani Lakatani in May 2002 elections. Vivian had previously served as premier for a brief period from 12 December 1992 to 9...
, until General Elections the following year resulted in the election of Frank Fakaotimanava Lui
Frank Lui
Frank Fakaotimanava Lui, CNZM is a former Premier of the Pacific Island state of Niue. Frank Lui was elected into office in the General Elections of early 1993, taking over from the interim premiership of Young Vivian, which was put in place following the passing of long-serving Premier Sir Robert...
into office. Having served 18 years in office, he is Niue's longest serving Premier and most probably the Pacific's longest serving head of a Government. Sir Robert became the first Niuean to receive knighthood in 1984.
Although he was opposed to party politics on Niue
Niue
Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...
, he was supported by the Niue People's Action Party after its formation in 1987.
During his almost two decades in office, Sir Robert held virtually all Government ministerial portfolios from time to time. His Cabinet of Ministers included prominent Niuean figures such as Dr. Enetama Lipitoa, Mititaiagimene Young Vivian
Young Vivian
Mititaiagimene Young Vivian is a Niuean politician who has twice been the premier of his country. Representing the Niue People's Action Party, he defeated sitting premier Sani Lakatani in May 2002 elections. Vivian had previously served as premier for a brief period from 12 December 1992 to 9...
& Frank Fakaotimanava Lui, the latter two both went on to become respectable Premiers of Niue.
He is the great uncle of the rugby player Frank Bunce
Frank Bunce
Frank Eneri Bunce is a retired New Zealand rugby union player and current coach. He played international rugby for both Western Samoa and New Zealand in the 1990s, appearing in the 1991 and 1995 World Cups...
.
Sir Robert was born to parents Leslie Lucas R Rex, a European trader on Niue, and Fisimonomono Tufaina of Avatele
Avatele
Avatele, , is a village on the southwest coast of Niue with a population of roughly 200 residents as of late 2007.-Geography:...
Village in the south of Niue. He later settled down in Alofi, the capital of Niue, with his wife of that village, Lady Tuagatagaloa, Lady Rex QSM
QSM
QSM is an acronym that may stand for:* QuickSilver Scalable Multicast, a networking protocol* Queen's Service Medal, a medal awarded by the government of New Zealand* Quadriceps Sparing Myopathy, a common name for the hereditary inclusion body myopathy IBM2...
(1918 - 2004).