On 2 July 2012, following Lord Tuʻiʻafitu's resignation from the position of Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to become Minister for Health, Lord Tu‘iha‘teiho became Deputy Speaker in his place.
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Before his trial, however, Parliament adopted an amendment to the Arms and Ammunition Act, lessening the potential sentence that he faced (and which Lord Tuʻilakepa was facing on a similar charge), so that if convicted he would nonetheless retain his seat in Parliament.
Lord Tuʻihaʻateiho, a representative of the nobility from Haʻapai, was quoted by the Taimi Media Network as pointing out that, under the amendment, persons convicted of unlicenced possession of firearms would no longer lose the right to hold government office, including a seat in Parliament.