Léon Tefau, a prominent political figure in French Polynesia and a key member of the Tavini party, died on October 3, 2026, in New York at the age of 72. His death was announced by his son through a message posted online on Sunday morning. According to the message, Tefau passed away during the night of October 3 in New York. The family is awaiting information regarding the repatriation of his body, with details about the repatriation and funeral to be communicated shortly. Tefau had traveled to the United States to attend the meeting of the Fourth Committee of the United Nations related to decolonization on October 5. He served as the general treasurer of the Tavini Huiraatira party and was closely associated with Oscar Temaru, supporting his political actions until his death. He was also a member of the GIP Motu Tahiri, an initiative aimed at bringing the management of the Tahiti-Faa'a airport back under Polynesian control. In his professional career, Tefau worked with Tony Géros at the Assembly of French Polynesia as a mission officer. Additionally, he presided over the fate of the SAS Vini during its separation from the OPT group and played a role in clarifying its governance by splitting the positions of CEO and PCA. His involvement in these matters highlighted his influence in both political and economic spheres of French Polynesia. Tefau's death marks a significant loss for the political landscape of French Polynesia, where he was known for his advocacy of self-determination and local governance. His contributions to various political and economic initiatives had a lasting impact on the region. The community is expected to gather to honor his legacy once the details of the repatriation and funeral are finalized.