Mapu Taia

{{Short description|Cook Islands politician}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}

{{Infobox officeholder

|honorific-prefix =

|honorific-suffix = {{postnominals|OBE}}

|image =

|caption =

|office = Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament

|primeminister =

|term_start = 2006

|term_end = 2010

|predecessor = Norman George

|successor = Geoffrey Henry

|office2 = Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Cook Islands

|term_start2 = 1999

|term_end2 = 2005

|primeminister2 =

|predecessor2 =

|successor2 =

|office3 =

|deputy3 =

|term_start3 =

|term_end3 =

|predecessor3 =

|successor3 =

|office4 =

|leader4 =

|term_start4 =

|term_end4 =

|predecessor4 =

|successor4 =

|constituency_MP5 = Mauke

|parliament5 = Cook Islands

|term_start5 = 16 June 1999

|term_end5 = 17 November 2010

|predecessor5 = Vaine Tairea

|successor5 = Tai Tura

|majority5 =

|constituency_MP6 =

|parliament6 =

|term_start6 =

|term_end6 =

|predecessor6 =

|successor6 =

|birth_date = 28 April 1939

|birth_place =

|death_date = October 2015

|death_place =

|party = Cook Islands Democratic Party

|alma_mater =

|website =

}}

Mapu Tangatatutai Taia {{postnominals|OBE}} (28 April 1939 - October 2015) was a Cook Islands politician. He served as Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament from 2006 to 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/parliament.php |title=Parliament |publisher=Cook Islands Government |accessdate=2009-03-21 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326003249/http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/parliament.php |archivedate=26 March 2009 |df=dmy-all }} He was a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party and held the traditional title of Kakemaunga Mataiapo.

Taia was born in Mauke in the Cook Islands and educated at Mauke Primary School, Avarua School, Nikao Maori School and Tereora College.{{cite web |url=http://cookislandsnews.com/national/local/item/54470-community-farewells-papa-taia |title=Community farewells Papa Taia |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=15 October 2015 |accessdate=11 July 2020}} He completed a teaching diploma at Nikao Teachers Training College in 1958, and later studied at the University of the South Pacific. He worked as a primary school teacher, then as a principal of Mitiaro School (1963–1971) and Mauke College (1972–1996). While a school principal he also became an oral historian. He retired after 40 years of teaching in 1996, and became a Justice of the Peace.

Taia was elected to the Cook Islands Parliament as MP for Mauke in the 1999 election. He was appointed Deputy Speaker in 1999. In 2004 he was the Democrat's candidate for Speaker, but lost to Norman George.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/152298/new-speaker-elected-in-the-cook-islands |title=New speaker elected in the Cook Islands |publisher=RNZ |date=15 December 2004 |accessdate=11 July 2020}} He was appointed Speaker in 2006, and served in that role until he retired at the 2010 election.{{cite web |url=http://www.cinews.co.ck/2010/September/Wed08/other.htm#1009021009 |title=Already on the campaign trail |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2010-09-02 |accessdate=2010-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055309/http://www.cinews.co.ck/2010/September/Wed08/other.htm |archive-date=16 July 2011}}

Taia was awarded an OBE for community and public sector services in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/view_release.php?release_id=1083|title=Cook Islanders Receive New Year Honours From Queen|publisher=Cook Islands Government|accessdate=2009-08-20|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226093414/http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/view_release.php?release_id=1083|archivedate=26 December 2009|df=dmy-all}} He died in October 2015 and is buried on Mauke.