Career
Taia was born in Mauke in the Cook Islands. He worked as a primary school teacher, then as a principal of Mitiaro School (1963–1971) and Mauke College (1972–1996). He retired after 40 years of teaching in 1996, and was elected to the Cook Islands Parliament as Member of Parliament for Mauke in the 1999 election.
He was appointed Deputy Speaker in 1999, and Speaker in 2006.
Taia was awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for community and public sector services in 2008. Taia retired at the 2010 election.
