Mere Samisoni
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Adi Mere Tuisalalo Samisoni is a woman of rank from Lomaloma village on the island of Vanuabalavu in Fiji's Lau archipelago, She also is a Fiji business person and politician, she currently resides in Suva Fiji's Capital.
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[edit] A Brief History
She won the Lami Open Constituency for the ruling Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party (SDL) at the parliamentary election held on 6-13 May 2006. It was her third attempt to win the seat: her previous campaigns in 1999 and 2001 (for the SVT Party) had been unsuccessful.
Samisoni is the youngest daughter of Ratu Keni Naulumatua, who held the chiefly title of Turaga na Rasau, and his first wife, Adi Mere Tuisalalo. She is well-known for establishing a successful chain of bakeries throughout Fiji, and is married to Jim Samisoni, a doctor and lecturer.
[edit] Recent Events
In the wake of the military coup which overthrew the government on 5 December 2006, Samisoni was detained by soldiers for questioning at Suva's Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Fiji Village reported, along with Daily Post General Manager Mesake Koroi.(source) No reason was given for the questioning, but Samisoni had written a letter unsympathetic to the Military to the Fiji Times earlier in the week. In a letter to the Fiji Sun published on 15 December, Samisoni claimed that soldiers had told her that if she did not discontinue writing letters critical of the military regime to newspapers, she would be imprisoned on Nukulau Island.
[edit] Notes and References
- 20th Century Fiji, edited by Stewart Firth & Daryl Tarte - 2001 - ISBN: 982-010421-1, (Reference article on Mere Samisoni)
- Ai Vola Ni Kawa Bula, Reference to her connection to Chiefly family, The names and birth and death Register of Native Landowners details are as follows: Yavusa Buca, Tokatoka No.7 – Valelevu, Koro: Lomaloma, Tikina: Lomaloma, Yasana: Lau, from the Native Lands and Fisheries Commission – records as of July 19th 2005
- A web link reference regarding details of the Native Lands and Fisheries Commission and the Ai Vola Ni Kawa Bula.
- Lau Islands, Fiji By A.M Hocart, Published by the Bishop Museum, Hawaii (1929), this book has detailed references to her fathers Rank and Title and her Father Ratu Keni Naulumatua.
- Newspaper Article; Title: Fiji Born Actor dies, Content: Talks in reference to Manu Tupou the Hollywood actor, of his ties with Lomaloma with reference to Ratu Mara and Adi Mere(Mere Samisoni's Mother) and Ratu Dreunimisimisi, 2004,Fiji Times Saturday June 12th, Fiji Times Archives
- Weblink reference to recent events.
