Tetaua Taitai

Tetaua Taitai (c. 1947 – February 6, 2015) was an I-Kiribati physician, politician and businessman.[1] He was originally from the atoll of Tabiteuea North, but resided in the neighboring Tabiteuea South in the southern part of Kiribati.[1] Taitai was the brother-in-law of former Kiribati President Teburoro Tito.[1]

Taitai served as the country's Secretary of Health during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] In 1994, newly elected president of Kiribati Teburoro Tito appointed Taitai as his Secretary of Cabinet.[1]

In November 2011, Taitai was nominated as one of three candidates for president of Kiribati by the House of Assembly of Kiribati.[1] However, Taitai lost the January 2012 presidential election to incumbent President Anote Tong, who was re-elected to a third term.[2] Taitai placed second, behind Tong.[2]

Tetaua Taitai continued to serve as the leader of the opposition until his death in 2015.[3] He died from cancer on Friday, February 6, 2015, at the age of 67.[3]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Parliament Nominates 3 Candidates for Kiribati President". The Kiribati Independent. East–West Center's Pacific Islands Report. November 25, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Kiribati's Tong beats challengers to win third term". Radio New Zealand International. January 14, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Leader of Kiribati Opposition Dies at 67, Dr. Tetaua Taitai loses battle against cancer". Radio New Zealand International. February 9, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2015.