Temukisa Auina Penehuro Hauma, 71, has become the first woman to be appointed the Governor-General of one of the world’s smallest nations.

Tuvalu has had 10 substantive governors-general — all of them men — since gaining independence on 1 October 1978.

Hauma, who will be King Charles III’s representative for Tuvalu, took the oath of office and oath of allegiance in the capital Funafuti on the eve of the country’s 48th Independence Day yesterday.

“I look forward to leading the nation and empowering our people, especially the women of Tuvalu,” Hauma was quoted as saying in a Tuvalu Government Media statement.

Hauma is from Vaitupu and Nanumaga and brings more than three decades of experience in education, including 12 years as a headmistress, the statement read.

It said Hauma had served as president of the Tuvalu National Council of Women since 2016 and contributed to important national initiatives, including the review of the Constitution and work towards establishing a Tuvaluan dictionary.

Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo described Hauma’s inauguration as a “historic moment for Tuvalu”.