Fifth woman to join Niue’s legislature
12th May, 2017
Fale fono, Niue Photo: Radio New Zealand
Niue’s Parliament has now confirmed a fifth woman member will join its 20-seat legislature.
Maureen Melekitama’s name was drawn by lot Monday morning local time after a tie counted between her and Makaseau Ioane last weekend for the village seat of Mutalau.
She will now replace former long serving MP Bill Vakaafi Motufoou who held the seat for the last 18 years.
The election results have boosted women’s representation in parliament from last year’s 10 percent to now 25 percent, the highest female representation ever seen in the Fono Ekepule.
Niue’s former High Commissioner to New Zealand, O’Love Jacobsen, gained the most common roll votes, and is one of two women to have gained one of the six open seats.
[Source: Radio New Zealand, 11th May 2017]