Career
Leupena was appointed the Speaker of the Parliament from 1981 to 1985 during the prime ministerships of Toaripi Lauti and Tomasi Puapua. Leupena served as the second from March 1, 1986 to October 1, 1990, representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who is the head of state in Tuvalu. In common with most, but not all, of Tuvalu"s Governors-General, Leupena accepted a Knighthood, on July 24, 1986.
Sir Tupua Leupena died in 1996.