Mapu Tangatatutai Taia OBE (born 28 April 1939) is a Cook Islands politician and Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party.
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 MP for Mauke in the 1999 election. He was appointed Deputy Speaker in 1999, and Speaker in 2006.
Taia was awarded an OBE for community and public sector services in 2008.
Taia retired at the 2010 election.
MOPED - FOLLOW
this time in the evening
i can see the shadows stretching to the edge of the world
i fell off it once, into your arms
and i've never felt so out of this world
(you take me so far) so far away from here
even though my feet don't move my heart is with you there
and it's not of this world (anymore)
and it's not gonna stand still (anymore)
i will follow you
i will follow you
i will follow you
to the edge of the world
i'm ready to leave
without saying a word
i will follow you
to the edge of the world
so here i go again here i go again
i've come to the end of my strength when i thought my strength would never end
i've come to grips with my _____________
i can see you ________ my weakness
i know you've got me do this that's exactly why
i will follow you
i will follow you
i will follow you
to the edge of the world
i'm ready to leave
without saying a word
i will follow you
and there's no greater fight than the daily fight to conquer myself
and there's no wonder why i can't get by by myself
and there's no question now i've got to stay by your side
if i'm ever gonna stay alive i've got to (i've got to)
i will follow you i will follow you
i will follow you i will follow you
i will follow you i will follow you
i will follow you i will follow you
(intrumental)
i will follow you
i will follow you
i will follow you
to the edge of the world
i'm ready to leave
without saying a word
i will follow you
to the edge of the world
i will follow you
i will follow you
i will follow you
to the edge of the world
i'm dying to live
you make me come alive
i will follow you