Taupo is the founder and co-director of Mana Pacific, and leads the procurement services. His background in engineering and facilities management roles, but also youth work roles, in different countries means he is both practical and relational, and can get the job done.
"We are here to serve, and sometimes it is the small things that matter."
Taupo's roots are in Nanumea Island, Tuvlau, where he was born. He grew up in Nauru, spent formative time in Kiribati, and later returned to Tuvalu before eventually settling in New Zealand. He has also previously lived and worked in Papua New Guinea and Australia. These diverse experiences across the Pacific shaped his worldview and cemented his appreciation for the region's cultures, resilience, and communities. In New Zealand, Taupo completed his education and entered the engineering profession, a field that allowed him to apply practical skills while contributing to infrastructure and development. He also has a strong passion for supporting young people—a calling that led him to serve through church ministries, volunteer initiatives, and eventually a formal role in youth work. Serving seven years in Papua New Guinea in a management role, he witnessed firsthand the challenges and potential of Pacific communities. This experience, combined with his own background, inspired him to focus on empowering Pacific people through culturally grounded support and development. In 2016, Taupo co-founded Mana Pacific Consultants in New Zealand, followed by the establishment of Mana Pacific in Tuvalu in 2018. His vision is to bridge professional expertise with community empowerment, creating pathways for the Pacific to thrive both locally and globally.
The work Taupo is proud of includes:
- Leading a team of more that 30 workers, in the role of Support Services Director at a PNG University. Taupo built a positive team environment, being hands-on when he needed to and leading by example. This enabled the team to navigate challenges well together.
- Overseeing procurement operations for Mana Pacific Consultants, working with partners such as the UN-FAO, Pacer Plus, and various Pacific government departments. This procurement spans key sectors including waste management, fisheries, and agriculture, and ensures solutions are not only effective but also culturally and environmentally sustainable.
