PARLIAMENT on Tuesday afternoon paid tribute to former Prime Minister (PM) and Member of Parliament (MP) for Marovo Constituency Late Snyder Rini, 77.
At the resumption of the Parliament sitting after lunch Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele made a special announcement to inform Parliament of his passing.
“I rise to announce the passing away of former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Marovo Late Snyder Rini,” he said.
He informed Parliament that Late Rini passed away Tuesday morning 5th August 2025.
In his brief tribute, PM Manele said, Late Rini has dedicated two decades of service to the people and government of Solomon Islands.
He was elected into parliament in 1997 and had held key portfolios such as; finance, education and national planning.
In April 2006 he was elected as Solomon Islands eight Prime Minister, a position he briefly held.
PM Manele said, despite the challenge he faced, he worked hard to seek peace and stability in the country.
“We acknowledged his contribution to Solomon Islands and the Public Service. We honour his legacy.
“On behalf of the GNUT government and the 12th Parliament and the people of Solomon Islands we extend our deepest sympathy to family members, relatives, people of Marovo and those who have the privilege of working with him,” PM stated in Parliament.
He then invited all Members of Parliament to stand for a moment of silence to pay their respect and tribute.
Its understood formal arrangements are being made for his funeral and burial.
BRIEF HISTORY
Snyder Rini was born on 27 July 1949 at Telina in Marovo Lagoon in the Western District.
He attended Kukudu Primary School (1964-1966), Betikama Secondary School (1967-1969), Kambubu High School in Papua New Guinea (1970), the University of Papua New Guinea (1971) and the University of Technology in Lae (1972-1974), where he obtained a degree in accountancy.
He was Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources in 1989, and Chairman of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund from 1990 to 1996.
Rini held Permanent Secretary positions in the Ministry of National Planning and Development (1994-1995) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (1997), before he was first elected to the National Parliament in August 1997.
He served as Minister for Finance and Treasury (2002-2001) in the first Sogavare Government, and when re-elected in 2002 became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Planning and Development.
In December 2002, he moved to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, and in mid-2003 became Minister for Education and Human Resources Development.
He maintained his position as Deputy Prime Minister and remained in the Ministry until 2006.
He was re-elected again in 2006 and became Prime Minister, which sparked riots that destroyed Honiara’s Chinatown and other areas of the city.
He was nevertheless sworn in on 20 April, but resigned after seven days when he faced an immediate motion of no-confidence in the Parliament.
Rini became Shadow Minister of National Planning and Aid Coordination.
After the defeat of the second Sogavare Government, Rini became Minister for Finance and Treasury in the Sikua and Philip governments, beginning on 21 December 2007.
