Taneti Maamau

Taneti Maamau (modern spelling: Taaneti Mwamwau, born 16 September 1960) is an I-Kiribati politician who has served as the 5th President of Kiribati since 11 March 2016. Political career A member of Tobwaan Kiribati Party, he began his career in public service as a Planning Officer with the Ministry of Finance before becoming Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives. In 2002, Maamau resigned from public service to join politics and won in 2007 one of the two seats for his constituency home island Onotoa. In 2011 and in 2015, he was re-elected a member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu (parliament). He previously served as the Finance Secretary under President Teburoro Tito. Maamau contested for the 2016 presidential election, where he was supported by a new coalition of the Tobwaan Kiribati Party. He received the support from former president Teburoro Tito, the predecessor of Anote Tong. He won the election and was officially declared President after winning against the ruling party by nearly 60%. He began his first term on 11 March 2016.