Career
He was elected into office in the General Elections of early 1993, taking over from the interim premiership of Young Vivian, which was put in place following the passing of long-serving Premier Sir Robert Rex in December 1992. Lui was re-elected into office for a second term as Premier in 1996. He lost his seat in the 1999 election, and announced his retirement.
Lui left Naenae school in 1950 to attend Wellington High School (of which he is a distinguished alumnus - see also photo on website, reference number 3 below) ).
On leaving school, he joined the New Zealand merchant navy, and was immediately caught up in the prolonged and acrimonious waterfront workers strike of 1951. There, he was subjected to colonial discrimination which motivated him to political activity to change an oppressive, paternalistic system run by the New Zealand Government (eg, "natives" of Niue were not permitted to buy liquor, and were paid wages lower than ex-patriate New Zealanders).
