Career
He represented the constituency of Nukulaelae in the Parliament of Tuvalu. He has served twice as the Prime Minister of Tuvalu. First period of office as Prime Minister
Paeniu formed a five-member Cabinet on 16 October 1989.
The next general election was held on 25 November 1993.
In the subsequent parliament the members were evenly split in their support of Bikenibeu Paeniu and the former Prime Minister Tomasi Puapua. As a consequence, the Governor-General dissolved the parliament on 22 September and a further election took place on 25 November 1993.
Second period of office as Prime Minister
Kamuta Latasi was the prime minister until 24 December 1996. As the result the vote on a motion of no confidence Kamuta Latasi resigned and Bikenibeu Paeniu was elected as prime minister for the second time.
In his second premiership term, an issue which arose was the controversy surrounding the design of the national flag of Tuvalu.
Paeniu successfully led moves to revert the flag to a previously used design which included the British Union Jack. Paeniu is less overtly republican in inclination than Latasi. On 18 December 1997 the parliament was dissolved and the general election was held on 26 March 1998.
Bikenibeu Paeniu was re-elected prime minister on 8 April 1998.
Paeniu remained as prime minister until he resigned following the vote on a motion of no confidence on 27 April 1999 and Ionatana Ionatana was elected as prime minister. In addition, he served as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in the cabinets of Saufatu Sopoanga and Maatia Toafa.
Paeniu is the only Tuvaluan so far to serve as Prime Minister for two non-consecutive terms. Paeniu lost his seat in Parliament in the 2006 general election.
Bikenibeu Paeniu received 65 votes (ahead of Lukes"s 64 and Iefata"s 21), but Sualiki was elected with 109.
