Taomati Iuta
Encyclopedia
Taomati Iuta, born 2 May 1939 on Beru Island
, is an I-Kiribati
politician. He is the current Speaker of the House of Assembly of Kiribati
for the Ninth Parliament (2007–2011). He was Vice President of Kiribati
from 1991 to 1994.
He "attended Leicester College
" in England
, at a time when the then-Gilbert Islands
were a British territory, then became a teacher at King George V School, a government-run secondary school in the colony. In 1970, he joined the colonial government administration, occupying various positions up to project manager in the Government Development Authority.
He was elected to the first ever Parliament in 1978, as Kiribati prepared for independence. He then stood as candidate for the position of Chief Minister, to lead the country into independence, and was selected by Parliament as one of the four candidates submitted to citizens' vote by universal suffrage. He finished last of the four, with 8.1% of the vote (though he did obtain 66.8% in his own native constituency of Beru). Ieremia Tabai
won with 55.5%.
Iuta was continuously re-elected to the House of Assembly
until 1998, being returned as MP
for Beru in 1978, 1979, 1982, 1987, 1991 and 1994. During that time, he served continuously as a member of Cabinet
until 1994, under Presidents Ieremia Tabai
and Teatao Teannaki
, both from the National Progressive Party
. He was, at various times, Minister for Natural Resources Development, Minister for Trade, Industry and Labour, Minister for Transport and Communications, and Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. He also served as Vice President
under President Teannaki from 1991 to 1994.
Following the 1991 election, Alaima Talu wrote: "Taomati Iuta is emerging as the key man in the new Government with his extensive experience and superior educational background. There are indications that he is already making a significant impact on the Government's major policies, and has proven to be the most articulate of the Government front-benchers
during Parliamentary debates". She went on to suggest that he might be a likely candidate to succeed to the Presidency, although ultimately this did not happen, as the 1991-1994 term was to be his last in Parliament.
He first served as Speaker of the House
from January to March 2003. (The Speaker is elected from outside Parliament.) In March, President Teburoro Tito
's government was brought down by a parliamentary motion of no confidence
, bringing about fresh parliamentary elections, a change in government, and a new election for Speaker. Etera Teangana succeeded to the position. After the 2007 parliamentary election, Iuta stood for the position of Speaker again. Teangana being "a non-starter", Iuta defeated his only opponent, former Cabinet minister Martin Tofinga (who had just lost his seat in Parliament), by twenty-six votes to twenty. Islands Business
commented that Iuta was "expected to bring in a higher level of maturity, etiquette, eloquence and more extensive experience into the Speaker’s office than the last incumbent".
In November 2010, he addressed the Tarawa Climate Change Conference
to urge delegates to strive for a workable agreement on addressing climate change
, a crucial issue of Anote Tong
's presidency.
In August 2011, he gave the keynote address for the Mock Parliament for Women, at which thirty women from all over the country "came together [...] at the Maneaba ni Maungatabu (Parliament) for a 3-day parliamentary training for potential candidates" for the 2011 parliamentary election
, intended to help remedy women's low rate of participation in national politics. Later describing himself as "very impressed with their performance", he urged women to "believe in their potential" and stand for election.
Iuta is a member of the Kiribati Protestant Church
. He is married to Ilaisa Pentusi Iuta.
Beru Island
Beru Island is an island located in the Kingsmill Group of the South Gilbert Islands in the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Republic of Kiribati. Beru was previously known as Eliza, Francis Island, Maria, Peroat, Peru Island or Sunday.- Geography :...
, is an I-Kiribati
Kiribati
Kiribati , officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The permanent population exceeds just over 100,000 , and is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, straddling the...
politician. He is the current Speaker of the House of Assembly of Kiribati
Speaker of the House of Assembly of Kiribati
The House of Assembly of Kiribati has a Speaker, a function adapted from the British Westminster model. The position was established by article 71 of the Constitution, when the country became independent from the United Kingdom....
for the Ninth Parliament (2007–2011). He was Vice President of Kiribati
Vice President of Kiribati
The Vice President of Kiribati is the vice head of State of the Republic of Kiribati. His or her constitutional functions are to exercise the duties of the President of Kiribati, temporarily or permanently, should the latter be unable to do so, and to "be responsible for such business of the...
from 1991 to 1994.
He "attended Leicester College
Leicester College
Leicester College is a further education College in Leicester, England. It is one of the largest and most successful colleges in the UK, with more than 26,000 learners, 1,600 staff, plus an annual budget of £51million....
" in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, at a time when the then-Gilbert Islands
Gilbert Islands
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are the main part of Republic of Kiribati and include Tarawa, the site of the country's capital and residence of almost half of the population.-Geography:The atolls and islands of the Gilbert Islands...
were a British territory, then became a teacher at King George V School, a government-run secondary school in the colony. In 1970, he joined the colonial government administration, occupying various positions up to project manager in the Government Development Authority.
He was elected to the first ever Parliament in 1978, as Kiribati prepared for independence. He then stood as candidate for the position of Chief Minister, to lead the country into independence, and was selected by Parliament as one of the four candidates submitted to citizens' vote by universal suffrage. He finished last of the four, with 8.1% of the vote (though he did obtain 66.8% in his own native constituency of Beru). Ieremia Tabai
Ieremia Tabai
Sir Ieremia Tienang Tabai GCMG AO was the first President of Kiribati. He had been described as being the most able leader of the Pacific island states....
won with 55.5%.
Iuta was continuously re-elected to the House of Assembly
House of Assembly of Kiribati
The House of Assembly of Kiribati has 46 members, 44 elected for a four year term in single-seat and multi-seat constituencies, 1 delegate from Banaba Island and 1 ex-officio member .Created with the Constitution of 12 July 1979, its new seat is at Ambo since October 2000, on South Tarawa...
until 1998, being returned as MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Beru in 1978, 1979, 1982, 1987, 1991 and 1994. During that time, he served continuously as a member of Cabinet
Cabinet of Kiribati
The Cabinet of Kiribati is the cabinet of the government of the Republic of Kiribati.The Constitution of Kiribati specifies that the Cabinet "shall consist of the Beretitenti, the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti and not more than 10 other Ministers, and the Attorney-General"...
until 1994, under Presidents Ieremia Tabai
Ieremia Tabai
Sir Ieremia Tienang Tabai GCMG AO was the first President of Kiribati. He had been described as being the most able leader of the Pacific island states....
and Teatao Teannaki
Teatao Teannaki
Teatao Teannaki is an I-Kiribati political figure.He was first elected to represent Abiang in the House of Assembly of Kiribati. Later, beginning in 1979, he served as Vice president of Kiribati under Ieremia Tabai...
, both from the National Progressive Party
National Progressive Party (Kiribati)
The National Progressive Party is a political party in Kiribati without parliamentary representation. Its leader Harry Tong joined the Maneaban Te Mauri before the 2003 elections....
. He was, at various times, Minister for Natural Resources Development, Minister for Trade, Industry and Labour, Minister for Transport and Communications, and Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. He also served as Vice President
Vice President of Kiribati
The Vice President of Kiribati is the vice head of State of the Republic of Kiribati. His or her constitutional functions are to exercise the duties of the President of Kiribati, temporarily or permanently, should the latter be unable to do so, and to "be responsible for such business of the...
under President Teannaki from 1991 to 1994.
Following the 1991 election, Alaima Talu wrote: "Taomati Iuta is emerging as the key man in the new Government with his extensive experience and superior educational background. There are indications that he is already making a significant impact on the Government's major policies, and has proven to be the most articulate of the Government front-benchers
Frontbencher
In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. The spokespeople for each group will often sit at the front of their group, and are then known as being on the frontbench and are described as...
during Parliamentary debates". She went on to suggest that he might be a likely candidate to succeed to the Presidency, although ultimately this did not happen, as the 1991-1994 term was to be his last in Parliament.
He first served as Speaker of the House
Speaker of the House of Assembly of Kiribati
The House of Assembly of Kiribati has a Speaker, a function adapted from the British Westminster model. The position was established by article 71 of the Constitution, when the country became independent from the United Kingdom....
from January to March 2003. (The Speaker is elected from outside Parliament.) In March, President Teburoro Tito
Teburoro Tito
Teburoro Tito was the President and foreign minister of Kiribati from October 1, 1994 to March 28, 2003. He was elected for the first time in 1994. He was reelected in 1998 with 52% of the vote. His main opponent was Harry Tong, who later ran against his brother, current President Anote Tong...
's government was brought down by a parliamentary motion of no confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
, bringing about fresh parliamentary elections, a change in government, and a new election for Speaker. Etera Teangana succeeded to the position. After the 2007 parliamentary election, Iuta stood for the position of Speaker again. Teangana being "a non-starter", Iuta defeated his only opponent, former Cabinet minister Martin Tofinga (who had just lost his seat in Parliament), by twenty-six votes to twenty. Islands Business
Islands Business
Islands Business is a "multimedia publishing company" established in the 1970s in Suva, Fiji.With correspondents throughout Oceania, it describes itself as the "premier publishing group in the Pacific Islands region", with fourteen outlets in digital and video media as well as printed magazines...
commented that Iuta was "expected to bring in a higher level of maturity, etiquette, eloquence and more extensive experience into the Speaker’s office than the last incumbent".
In November 2010, he addressed the Tarawa Climate Change Conference
Tarawa Climate Change Conference
The Tarawa Climate Change Conference , was held in the Republic of Kiribati from 9 to 10 November 2010. The purpose of the conference was to support the initiative of the President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, to hold a consultative forum between vulnerable states and their partners with a view of...
to urge delegates to strive for a workable agreement on addressing climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
, a crucial issue of Anote Tong
Anote Tong
Anote Tong is an I-Kiribati politician with Chinese heritage. He is the current President of Kiribati. He won the election in July 2003 with a slim plurality of votes cast against his brother, Dr. Harry Tong and the private lawyer Banuera Berina...
's presidency.
In August 2011, he gave the keynote address for the Mock Parliament for Women, at which thirty women from all over the country "came together [...] at the Maneaba ni Maungatabu (Parliament) for a 3-day parliamentary training for potential candidates" for the 2011 parliamentary election
Kiribati parliamentary election, 2011
Parliamentary elections were held in Kiribati on 21 and 28 October 2011. In the first round, exactly half of the 44 MPs were elected, with the remainder chosen in the run-off. 29 candidates were reelected, and four government ministers lost their seats. One seat had to go to a third round of...
, intended to help remedy women's low rate of participation in national politics. Later describing himself as "very impressed with their performance", he urged women to "believe in their potential" and stand for election.
Iuta is a member of the Kiribati Protestant Church
Kiribati Protestant Church
The Kiribati Protestant Church is a Congregationalist Protestant Christian denomination in Kiribati...
. He is married to Ilaisa Pentusi Iuta.