Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre Lauofo Meredith is a Samoan politician who served as the leader of the opposition from January to July 2023. A former deputy prime minister, he is a member of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP).
He was re-elected unopposed at the 2011 election after the candidate from the opposition Tautua Samoa Party was declared ineligible,[2] and appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, Industry and Commerce.[3] In January 2014 he was charged with obstructing police after instructing Associate Minister Muagututagata Peter Ah Him to drive away from a police breath test.[4] In April 2014 he was convicted,[5] and fined US$90.[6] The conviction was overturned in 2017.[7] In the intervening period Lauofo was re-elected in the 2016 election, but was not reappointed to Cabinet.[8][9]
Lauofo was re-elected at the 2021 election. Following the election, he was elected HRPP deputy leader.[10]
On 27 January 2023, parliament elected Fonotoe as opposition leader,[11] succeeding Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi whose tenure was terminated due to his suspension from the legislature.[12] After the suspension was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, Tuila‘epa again became opposition leader.[13]