| Office | Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament |
|---|---|
| Term start | 2006 |
| Term end | 2010 |
| Predecessor | Norman George |
| Successor | Geoffrey Henry |
| Office 2 | Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Cook Islands |
| Term start 2 | 1999 |
| Term end 2 | 2005 |
| Constituency mp 5 | Mauke |
| Parliament 5 | Cook Islands |
| Term start 5 | 16 June 1999 |
| Term end 5 | 17 November 2010 |
| Predecessor 5 | Vaine Tairea |
| Successor 5 | Tai Tura |
| Birth date | 28 April 1939 |
| Death date | October 2015 |
| Party | Cook Islands Democratic Party |
Mapu Tangatatutai Taia (28 April 1939 - October 2015) was a Cook Islands politician. He served as Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament from 2006 to 2010.[1] He was a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party and held the traditional title of Kakemaunga Mataiapo.[2]
Taia was born in Mauke in the Cook Islands and educated at Mauke Primary School, Avarua School, Nikao Maori School and Tereora College.[2] He completed a teaching diploma at Nikao Teachers Training College in 1958, and later studied at the University of the South Pacific.[2] He worked as a primary school teacher, then as a principal of Mitiaro School (1963–1971) and Mauke College (1972–1996).[1] While a school principal he also became an oral historian.[2] He retired after 40 years of teaching in 1996, and became a Justice of the Peace.[1]
Taia was elected to the Cook Islands Parliament as MP for Mauke in the 1999 election. He was appointed Deputy Speaker in 1999. In 2004 he was the Democrat's candidate for Speaker, but lost to Norman George.[3] He was appointed Speaker in 2006, and served in that role until he retired at the 2010 election.[4]
Taia was awarded an OBE for community and public sector services in 2008.[5] He died in October 2015 and is buried on Mauke.[2]
References
- ^ "Parliament". Cook Islands Government. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
- ^ "Community farewells Papa Taia". Cook Islands News. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
- ^ "New speaker elected in the Cook Islands". RNZ. 15 December 2004. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
- ^ "Already on the campaign trail". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-02. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ "Cook Islanders Receive New Year Honours From Queen". Cook Islands Government. Archived from the original on 26 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-20.