Career
He served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament before becoming Assistant Prime Minister and Minister of Provincial Government in 2000, and afterwards he became Minister for National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation. He was elected as Governor-General by the National Parliament on June 15, 2004. He received 27 of 41 votes, compared to 6 for incumbent Sir John Lapli and 8 for former Prime Minister Sir Peter Kenilorea.
On June 15, 2009, Frank Kabui was elected to succeed Waena as Governor-General.
In the fourth round of voting, in which Kabui was elected with 30 votes, Waena received seven votes, placing third.
