Sir Toke Tufukia Talagi KNZM (/ˈtoʊkə ˈtɑːlʌŋi/ TOH-kə TAH-lung-ee; 9 January 1951[1] – 15 July 2020)[2] was a Niuean politician, diplomat, and statesman.

[1] While there, he was elected president of the Pacific Island Students Association and organised protests against nuclear testing and racial discrimination.

[20] In October 1999 he resigned his Ministerial position over Lakatani's plans to establish an airline, and submitted a motion of no confidence against him.

[24] As Finance Minister he was responsible for managing the recovery from Cyclone Heta and was the subject of public criticism over the distribution of aid and allocation of new houses.

[31] As Premier, he introduced a new consumption tax to balance the budget,[32] established diplomatic relations with China,[33] and attempted to negotiate with New Zealand for greater control of aid funding.

At the 2008 Forum meeting in Niue he used the position to focus on climate change and the need for new elections in Fiji following the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.

[42] In May 2009, Talagi co-chaired the 5th Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting (PALM) with then Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in Hokkaido.

[47] He continued to push for stronger international action on climate change[48][49] and announced an ambition for Niue to become 100% solar powered.

[52] In early 2014 a proposal by Talagi to house asylum seekers for Australia as part of its Pacific Solution was rejected by the Niuean Assembly.

[56] Talagi's foreign policy continued to focus on climate change, and he began a push for membership in the United Nations.

[64] In 2019 he spent several more months in Auckland recovering from illness,[65] and on his return his brother Billy Talagi continued as acting Premier.

[66] The term was capped off by Niue losing control of its internet domain,[67] and a damning audit report into the government's finances.

[2][75] After his death, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that Talagi would be "remembered for his lifelong commitment to safeguarding Niue’s future security and prosperity".