Walter Lini

Walter Hadye Lin̄i ( ; 1942 – 21 February 1999) was a Raga Anglican priest and politician who was the first Prime Minister of Vanuatu, from independence in 1980 to 1991. He was born at Agatoa village, Pentecost Island.

Lin̄i was a key figure in Vanuatu's struggle for independence. He was a key proponent of Melanesian socialism.

Early life Lin̄i started school at the age of five when he attended the Australian Missionary Sunday School at Lamalanga on North Pentecost. In 1950, he began attending Nazareth School at Agatoa.

After returning home, Lin̄i, along with Donald Kalpokas and John Bani, formed the New Hebrides Cultural Association and launched its mouthpiece newspaper, New Hebrides Viewpoint. At that time, New Hebrides was a condominium ruled by the United Kingdom and France. Soon after the formation of the New Hebrides Cultural Association, Lin̄i and others formed the New Hebrides National Party (NHNP), with Lin̄i responsible for publishing the newspaper as well as recruiting party members on Aoba, North Pentecost and Maewo.

Lin̄i was elected Chief Minister following the VP's victory in the 1979 New Hebridean general election, and ascended to the position of Prime Minister upon Vanuatu's independence on July 30, 1980.

Lin̄i went on to lead the VP to victory in the 1983 and the 1987 general elections.

Lini suffered a stroke in 1987 but subsequently remained active in politics. Lini was a critic of Western market economies, arguing that they caused poverty in the Third World.

His term ended in 1991, due to factionalism within his party. He joined the National United Party, of which he was leader at the time of his death.

He was later appointed deputy prime minister, minister of justice and minister of interior.

He died of an illness in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila.

Personal life His sister, Hilda Lin̄i, and brother, Ham Lin̄i, also served as politicians in Vanuatu. His sister Heather Lin̄i-Leo Matas was the first indigenous female lawyer in the country.

According to Lini, on his mother's side, he was a descendant of the high chief Virasangvulu, while on his father's side, he was descended from the famous weaver, Nuenue, as well as from the high chief Viralalau.