John Tabakitoa Teaiwa was the first Banaban (Rabi Islander) to graduate from university, gaining a bachelor's degree in Agriculture at the University of Hawai'i. He served as Permanent Secretary in the Fiji Ministries of Agriculture; and Housing, Urban Development and Environment from 1989 to 1996. He was Chairman of the Rabi Council of Leaders from 1996 to 2001 and after the 2000 coup was temporarily appointed a Minister in the Qarasea government.
