O'Love Jacobsen
Encyclopedia
Tauveve O’Love Jacobsen is a Niue
an politician and diplomat. She is currently Niue's High Commissioner
to New Zealand
, after serving as a member of the Niue Assembly
(national Parliament) and a minister in Toke Talagi
's government. She was previously a long-standing leading figure in the informal parliamentary Opposition
to Young Vivian
's government. She was, from 2008 to 2011, Minister of Health, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Women’s Affairs, and Minister in charge of the Niue Power Corporation. She had previously been Minister of Education, Health, Environment, Training and Development. Additionally, Jacobsen is a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
, and Patroness of the Niuean Volleyball Association.
Following the 1999 general election
, she was a candidate for the post of Premier
(head of government), who is selected by the national Assembly. She lost to Sani Lakatani
, of the Niue People's Party
, by six votes to fourteen.
Following the 2005 general election
, Jacobsen was Young Vivian's only opponent contending for the position of Premier. She was defeated by three votes to seventeen. Vivian thanked her for competing against him:
In February 2008, Jacobsen stated that landowners had been bullied into authorising the building of a hotel and golf course on their land, a project supported by the government and funded by Chinese
investors. Premier Young Vivian rejected the allegation.
In the lead-up to the 2008 general election
, which saw her successfully retain her seat in the Assembly (as a common roll representative
, Jacobsen was critical of the fact that several members of the Assembly would be re-elected unopposed. She accused Vivian of discouraging people from taking part in the election as Opposition candidates, and argued that a democracy requires voters being able to choose between several candidates in each constituency.
Vivian rejected Jacobsen's criticism, and argued in return that candidates were chosen within the villages, in traditional ways. With such a practice, he said, "there is no conflict, there’s peace and togetherness.” A government news publication stated with thinly veiled criticism that Jacobsen "saw herself as a self-appointed backbench champion of the masses".
Following the election, Jacobsen supported Toki Talagi's candidacy to prime ministership, against Vivian, and was appointed to Talagi's small Cabinet.
In March 2011, she resigned from government and from the Assembly to be appointed Niue's High Commissioner to New Zealand.
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...
an politician and diplomat. She is currently Niue's High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, after serving as a member of the Niue Assembly
Niue Assembly
The Niue Assembly is the legislature of Niue. It consists of 20 members, 14 representatives of the villages and 6 elected on a common roll. Members are directly elected by universal suffrage, and serve a three year term...
(national Parliament) and a minister in Toke Talagi
Toke Talagi
Toke Tufukia Talagi is the current premier of Niue. He was elected premier by the Niue Assembly on 19 June 2008, defeating the standing premier Young Vivian by fourteen votes to five, with one abstaining....
's government. She was previously a long-standing leading figure in the informal parliamentary Opposition
Opposition (parliamentary)
Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. Note that this article uses the term government as it is used in Parliamentary systems, i.e. meaning the administration or the cabinet rather than the state...
to 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...
's government. She was, from 2008 to 2011, Minister of Health, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Women’s Affairs, and Minister in charge of the Niue Power Corporation. She had previously been Minister of Education, Health, Environment, Training and Development. Additionally, Jacobsen is a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, previously known as the Empire Parliamentary Association, is an organisation, of British origin, which works to support good governance, democracy and human rights...
, and Patroness of the Niuean Volleyball Association.
Following the 1999 general election
Niuean general election, 1999
General elections were held in Niue on 19 March 1999 to determine the composition of the twenty member national Assembly. Fourteen incumbents retained their seats, with Premier Frank Lui a notable exception. Following the election, the Niue People's Party was able to form a government, and its...
, she was a candidate for the post of Premier
Premier of Niue
The Premier of Niue is Niue's head of government. He or she is elected by the Niue Assembly, and forms a Cabinet consisting of him- or herself and three other members of the Assembly....
(head of government), who is selected by the national Assembly. She lost to Sani Lakatani
Sani Lakatani
Sani Elia Lagigietama Lakatani is a former Premier of Niue. He was a member of the Niue People's Party.-References:...
, of the Niue People's Party
Niue People's Party
The Niue People's Party was a political party in Niue. Founded in 1977, it was disbanded in 2005. It was, during that time, the country's only political party....
, by six votes to fourteen.
Following the 2005 general election
Niuean general election, 2005
General elections were held in Niue on 30 April 2005. No political parties ran in the poll, with all candidates standing as independents. Around 830 voters participated in the election and 17 of the 20 incumbent MPs retained their seats...
, Jacobsen was Young Vivian's only opponent contending for the position of Premier. She was defeated by three votes to seventeen. Vivian thanked her for competing against him:
- “That the selection was contested, thanks to Ekepule [member of the Assembly] O’love Jacobsen, confirms our determination under the Westminster system of government to adhere and uphold one of the fundamental principles of democracy.”
In February 2008, Jacobsen stated that landowners had been bullied into authorising the building of a hotel and golf course on their land, a project supported by the government and funded by Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
investors. Premier Young Vivian rejected the allegation.
In the lead-up to the 2008 general election
Niuean general election, 2008
Parliamentary elections were held in Niue on June 7, 2008. They were initially expected to be held in April, but were delayed until June 2008. Niue has a 20 member legislative assembly, called the Niue Assembly, whose members are elected by approximately 600 registered voters...
, which saw her successfully retain her seat in the Assembly (as a common roll representative
Niue Assembly
The Niue Assembly is the legislature of Niue. It consists of 20 members, 14 representatives of the villages and 6 elected on a common roll. Members are directly elected by universal suffrage, and serve a three year term...
, Jacobsen was critical of the fact that several members of the Assembly would be re-elected unopposed. She accused Vivian of discouraging people from taking part in the election as Opposition candidates, and argued that a democracy requires voters being able to choose between several candidates in each constituency.
- “If the principle of democracy is going to be upheld, then it is very important that people do need to go to the polls and not have them unopposed and become duly elected.”
Vivian rejected Jacobsen's criticism, and argued in return that candidates were chosen within the villages, in traditional ways. With such a practice, he said, "there is no conflict, there’s peace and togetherness.” A government news publication stated with thinly veiled criticism that Jacobsen "saw herself as a self-appointed backbench champion of the masses".
Following the election, Jacobsen supported Toki Talagi's candidacy to prime ministership, against Vivian, and was appointed to Talagi's small Cabinet.
In March 2011, she resigned from government and from the Assembly to be appointed Niue's High Commissioner to New Zealand.