Matapo Matapo

Matapo was a planter and became a well-known businessman in the 1950s.^[1] A member of the Cook Islands Party, he was a candidate in a 1977 by-election for the Takitumu seat following the death of Tiakana Numanga. However, he was defeated by Iaveta Short.^[2]

He ran again in the new Titikaveka constituency in the March 1983 general elections and was elected to Parliament. However, he died a few months later.^[3] The loss of his seat led to the government losing its majority and was one of the causes of early elections being held in November later in the year.