Date: 05 May 2025
Hon. Dulcie Elaine Tei, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga speaking at the launch of her short documentary.
A short documentary showcasing the leadership journey of Hon. Dulcie Elaine Tei, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, was officially launched in April at the Hofoa Constituency Hall in Tongatapu.
The event was hosted by the Hofoa Constituency and supported by the Australian Government through the Balance of Power program. Attendees included the Australian High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Tonga, H.E. Mr. Brek Batley, the Tongan Minister for Health, Hon. Dr. Ana ‘Akauola, members of Hon. Tei’s family, constituents of Tongatapu 6 and other invited guests. This was an opportunity to share Hon. Tei’s leadership experience and promote broader conversations about women’s political participation in Tonga.
The documentary, produced by Vaimoana Media, was developed over several months and follows Hon. Tei’s journey from educator to parliamentarian, exploring how her values, professional background and community roots continue to influence her leadership style.
Dulcie Elaine Tei is a Tongan politician and was elected in 2022 following a by-election and has since been representing Tongatapu 6. Prior to entering politics, she had a long career in education, teaching at Tonga High School, Queen Salote College, ‘Eiwa High School and the Teachers Training College.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Tei said the experience of watching her story on screen was emotional.
“The first time I saw the video, I cried. Everything about my road to Parliament was based on faith. I said yes based on what I believed God was guiding me to do.”
Her husband, Mr. Poasi Tei, a former Cabinet Minister and MP, also spoke at the event.
“Dulcie is not someone who speaks a lot, but when she commits to something, she follows through. Her leadership is grounded in her values and her connection with the community.”
Even with her responsibilities as a national leader, Hon. Tei continues to contribute to education through her role as Head of the Hofoa Free Wesleyan Church Sunday School.
The video was produced as part of the Balance of Power program, a regional initiative supported by the Australian Government to promote women’s political leadership in Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu.
Jennifer Kalpokas Doan, Co-Executive Director of Balance of Power, explained the strategic rationale behind the film.
“In 2021, our research conducted in partnership with Tupou Tertiary Institute (TTI), showed that 92% of those surveyed in Tonga believed women should not be in Parliament. In a follow-up survey in 2024, that number dropped to 48% among people aged 21 to 35. These kinds of shifts are important and media like this documentary can help accelerate that change.”
She thanked Hon. Tei for agreeing to participate in the project and allowing the media team to follow her work.
“We’re grateful to Hon. Tei and her family for their support. This documentary shows leadership in a way that’s relatable and that helps others, especially young women to see what’s possible.”
The concept behind the video aligns with Tonga’s Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Tonga (WEGET) policy and Balance of Power’s goal to make women’s leadership more visible, valued and accepted.
H.E. Mr. Brek Batley, the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, spoke about the importance of supporting women in leadership and highlighted the relevance of locally driven initiatives like this one.
“Gender equality is not just a women’s issue. When women are part of political leadership, communities benefit. We’re proud to support efforts like this one through the Balance of Power program.”
He noted that empowering women in leadership contributes to more effective governance and inclusive decision-making across the Pacific.
Hon. Dr. Ana ‘Akauola, Tongan Minister for Health, also addressed the gathering, making a powerful statement about women’s roles and leadership.
“They belong in the kitchen, I tell you not! We do not belong in the kitchen. We belong anywhere we want to belong to.”
Her words emphasized the importance of empowering women to break barriers and take on leadership roles in all areas of society, challenging traditional gender norms.
The documentary is intended for broad use, including community screenings, social media distribution and incorporation into leadership training programs.
It serves multiple purposes, promoting awareness of Hon. Tei’s contributions, providing an example of inclusive leadership and encouraging future generations of women to consider leadership at all levels, whether in Parliament, town offices or community organisations.
The Balance of Power program will continue to work with Hon. Tei and other women MPs in Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu through documentation, learning exchanges and leadership development initiatives.
End.