'Alopi Latukefu (aka ‘the Tongan Tonsils’) has been appointed chief of staff to the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Affairs, Duncan Kerr. ‘Alopi is the son of Dr Ruth Fink Latukefu and the late Rev Dr Sione Latukefu, both of whom were active in Pacific academia during their twenty years’ service with the University of Papua New Guinea. Ruth, of course, was also a celebrated lecturer in Anthropology at the Australian School of Pacific Administration.

Announcing the appointment, Duncan Kerr said “Mr Latukefu has served with distinction as my Pacific Adviser and I am confident that, in his new role, he will further advance the Government’s focus in the Pacific region. He brings to the role knowledge and personal experience of the Pacific, the information economy, private sector development, and international development generally.”

‘Alopi is also leader of Alopi Latukefu & Palermo Express, a five-piece ACT-based jazz and funky lounge band. One critic has written that “Latukefu's oaken voice mines the soft sensuality of Pacific Romanticism with the rhythms, melodies and skat of the Jazz world.”

And another: “Alopi Latukefu leads this smooth jazz funk band. You will immediately warm to this charming man, the moment he steps on stage, with his engaging smile, smooth looks and a voice like velvet, as it caresses the many soulful jazz tunes in his vast repertoire.”

Quite an acquisition for the Parliamentary Secretary.