Teatao Teannaki

Who is 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. He would also serve as the minister of home affairs in 1987, and as minister of finance from 1987 to 1991.

He was narrowly elected to replace Tabai as the president of Kiribati on behalf of the National Progressive Party of Kiribati from 8 July 1991 until 1 October 1994. It is said that he predecessor Ieremia Tabai exerted political influence on Kiribati via Taetao Teannaki throughout his term. He also served as his government's foreign minister beginning in 1992.

He was succeeded by Teburoro Tito after defeat in a September 1994 election.

Teatao Teannaki still leads the National Progressive Party.