Teatao Teannaki
President of Kiribati (1935–2016)
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Teatao Teannaki (1936 – 11 October 2016) was an I-Kiribati politician who served as the second president of Kiribati from 1991 until 1994.
Teatao Teannaki | |
|---|---|
Teannaki in 2014 | |
| Speaker of the House of Assembly | |
| In office 5 February 2016 – 11 October 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Taomati Iuta |
| Succeeded by | Tebuai Uaai |
| 2nd President of Kiribati | |
| In office 4 July 1991 – 24 May 1994 | |
| Vice President | Taomati Iuta |
| Preceded by | Ieremia Tabai |
| Succeeded by | Tekiree Tamuera (acting) |
| 1st Vice President of Kiribati | |
| In office 12 July 1979 – 4 July 1991 | |
| President | Ieremia Tabai Rota Onorio (acting) Ieremia Tabai |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Tekiree Tamuera (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1936 |
| Died | (aged 80) Betio, South Tarawa, Kiribati |
| Party | National Progressive Party Tobwaan Kiribati Party (2016) |
| Children | Lavinia Teatao Teem |
He was first elected to represent Abaiang in the House of Assembly of the Gilbert Islands. He was the Minister of State in the previous government of Chief Minister Naboua Ratieta, and then became Minister for Education, Training and Culture in March 1978. At independence on 12 July 1979, Tabai immediately nominated him as vice-president. He served as vice president of Kiribati under Tabai's three terms. He would also serve as the Minister of Home Affairs in 1987, and as Minister of Finance from 1987 to 1991.
Presidency
Replacing Babera Kirata, who suddenly died before the general election, he was narrowly elected to replace Tabai as the President of Kiribati on behalf of the National Progressive Party of Kiribati which he sieved from 8 July 1991 until 1 October 1994. It is said that Tabai continued to exert political influence in the Kiribati government throughout Teannaki's term. Teannaki also served as Foreign Minister beginning in 1992.
Post-presidency and death
He was succeeded by Teburoro Tito after defeat in a September 1994 election.
Teannaki was at the helm of the National Progressive Party as of July 2015. Teannaki died at the age of 80 following a heart attack he suffered during a policy debate on 11 October 2016.[1][2]
