Members of Parliament for Rennell Bellona Constituency prior to Independence and after Independence in 1978.
1st and 3rd Parliament: John Tipaika (8th March 1939 – 19th September 1994) was educated at King George VI School and Queen Victoria School in Fiji. These institutions were among the most prestigious educational establishments in the Pacific region during that era. Between 1963 and 1967, he completed marine training and obtained a Master Solomon Islands Certificate. This qualification enabled him to serve as the master of a government ship from 1967 to the early 1970s. Transitioning into politics, Tipaika served as the first President of the Central Islands Council from 1974 to 1976 and chaired the Central Education Board.
Elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1976 representing Rennell and Bellona, he was appointed Minister for Works and Public Utilities in 1978, and subsequently Minister for Transport and Communications. Notably, he was part of the official government delegation that travelled to the United Kingdom to sign the Solomon Islands Independence Order, which formally granted independence from Britain on 7 July 1978.
Although he lost his seat in the 1980 general election to Paul John, Tipaika regained it in 1984, continuing his commitment to public service and the development of his constituency.
1st and 3rd Parliament: John Tipaika (8th March 1939 – 19th September 1994)
John Tipaika was educated at King George VI School and Queen Victoria School in Fiji. These institutions were among the most prestigious educational establishments in the Pacific region during that era. Between 1963 and 1967, he completed marine training and obtained a Master Solomon Islands Certificate. This qualification enabled him to serve as the master of a government ship from 1967 to the early 1970s. Transitioning into politics, Tipaika served as the first President of the Central Islands Council from 1974 to 1976 and chaired the Central Education Board.
Elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1976 representing Rennell and Bellona, he was appointed Minister for Works and Public Utilities in 1978, and subsequently Minister for Transport and Communications. Notably, he was part of the official government delegation that travelled to the United Kingdom to sign the Solomon Islands Independence Order, which formally granted independence from Britain on 7 July 1978.
Although he lost his seat in the 1980 general election to Paul John, Tipaika regained it in 1984, continuing his commitment to public service and the development of his constituency.
2nd Parliament: Paul John (8th October 1944 – 8th January 2008) served as the Member of Parliament for the Rennell-Bellona constituency during the early1980s. Paul John was elected to the National Parliament in the country’s first post-independence general election of 1980, running under the Solomon Islands People’s Alliance Party (PAP).
During his parliamentary term (1980–1984), Paul John initially sat on the opposition benches but later served on the government side after PAP leader Solomon Mamaloni became Prime Minister in 1981. He used his tenure to advocate for the development needs of his constituency, highlighting issues like healthcare, education, and infrastructure for the isolated island community. His term concluded with the 1984 general election, in which former MP John Tipaika reclaimed the Rennell-Bellona seat.
2nd Parliament: Paul John (8th October 1944 – 8th January 2008)
Paul John served as the Member of Parliament for the Rennell-Bellona constituency during the early1980s. Paul John was elected to the National Parliament in the country’s first post-independence general election of 1980, running under the Solomon Islands People’s Alliance Party (PAP).
During his parliamentary term (1980–1984), Paul John initially sat on the opposition benches but later served on the government side after PAP leader Solomon Mamaloni became Prime Minister in 1981. He used his tenure to advocate for the development needs of his constituency, highlighting issues like healthcare, education, and infrastructure for the isolated island community. His term concluded with the 1984 general election, in which former MP John Tipaika reclaimed the Rennell-Bellona seat.
4th, 5th and 7th Parliament: Joses Taungenga Tuhanuku (1st February 1947 – 2nd November 2023) is a trade unionist who later became a Member of Parliament for Rennell Bellona constituency. He began his higher education at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in 1973 and later pursued studies at the Australian National University (ANU) from 1998 to 2000, from which he graduated with a Masters in Development Administration.
In 1975, Joses Tuhanuku and Bartholomew Ulufa’alu founded the Solomon Islands General Workers’ Union (SIGWU). He succeeded Ulufa’alu as General Secretary in 1976 when Ulufa’alu entered Parliament. After a period of training in Denmark from 1977 to 1978, Tuhanuku returned to lead the union, which was renamed the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers in 1980.
Representing the Solomon Islands Labour Party, which he co-founded in 1988, he was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Rennell Bellona Constituency in 1989 and re-elected in 1993. In the 1997 general election, he lost his seat to Saueha Joses Tahua. Tuhanuku regained the seat in the 2001 election but was unseated in 2006 by Seth Gukuna.
Tuhanuku held positions such as Minister for Commerce, Employment, Labour and Industry; Minister for Forestry and Conservation; and Leader of the Official Opposition. Known for his anti-corruption stance, he notably exposed bribery attempts within the logging industry. Tuhanuku’s term concluded in the 2006 national general elections, but continued his advocacy as Executive Officer of Transparency Solomon Islands.
4th, 5th and 7th Parliament: Joses Taungenga Tuhanuku (1st February 1947 – 2nd November 2023)
Joses Taungenga Tuhanuku is a trade unionist who later became a Member of Parliament for Rennell Bellona constituency. He began his higher education at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in 1973 and later pursued studies at the Australian National University (ANU) from 1998 to 2000, from which he graduated with a Masters in Development Administration.
In 1975, Joses Tuhanuku and Bartholomew Ulufa’alu founded the Solomon Islands General Workers’ Union (SIGWU). He succeeded Ulufa’alu as General Secretary in 1976 when Ulufa’alu entered Parliament. After a period of training in Denmark from 1977 to 1978, Tuhanuku returned to lead the union, which was renamed the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers in 1980.
Representing the Solomon Islands Labour Party, which he co-founded in 1988, he was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Rennell Bellona Constituency in 1989 and re-elected in 1993. In the 1997 general election, he lost his seat to Saueha Joses Tahua. Tuhanuku regained the seat in the 2001 election but was unseated in 2006 by Seth Gukuna.
Tuhanuku held positions such as Minister for Commerce, Employment, Labour and Industry; Minister for Forestry and Conservation; and Leader of the Official Opposition. Known for his anti-corruption stance, he notably exposed bribery attempts within the logging industry. Tuhanuku’s term concluded in the 2006 national general elections, but continued his advocacy as Executive Officer of Transparency Solomon Islands.
6th Parliament: Joses Saueha Tahua (24th June 1953 – 3rd December 2023) served as the Member of Parliament for the Rennell and Bellona constituency from 1997 to 2001, prior to that he was a businessman. He entered Parliament after winning the 1997 general election, narrowly defeating incumbent MP Joses Tuhanuku. Tahua served as an independent MP during a tumultuous period in Solomon Islands politics, commonly referred to as the ethnic tensions.
In 2000 he was appointed Minister for Works, Transportation and Utilities under Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s administration, a role in which he oversaw infrastructure and utilities. His parliamentary term concluded when he lost his seat in the 2001 election, with Joses Tuhanuku regaining the constituency.
After leaving Parliament, Tahua continued to engage in public service. In 2006 he was appointed as Chairman of the Solomon Islands Citizenship Commission for a three-year term contributing to the oversight of citizenship matters. In 2010 Tahua also served as a board member of the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (Now Solomon Power).
6th Parliament: Joses Saueha Tahua (24th June 1953 – 3rd December 2023)
Joses Saueha Tahua served as the Member of Parliament for the Rennell and Bellona constituency from 1997 to 2001, prior to that he was a businessman. He entered Parliament after winning the 1997 general election, narrowly defeating incumbent MP Joses Tuhanuku. Tahua served as an independent MP during a tumultuous period in Solomon Islands politics, commonly referred to as the ethnic tensions.
In 2000 he was appointed Minister for Works, Transportation and Utilities under Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s administration, a role in which he oversaw infrastructure and utilities. His parliamentary term concluded when he lost his seat in the 2001 election, with Joses Tuhanuku regaining the constituency.
After leaving Parliament, Tahua continued to engage in public service. In 2006 he was appointed as Chairman of the Solomon Islands Citizenship Commission for a three-year term contributing to the oversight of citizenship matters. In 2010 Tahua also served as a board member of the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (Now Solomon Power).
8th and 9th Parliament: Seth Gukuna (21st August 1961) represented the Rennell-Bellona constituency in the National Parliament for two terms since 2006. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waikato in 1987 and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of the South Pacific in 1998. Before entering politics, Gukuna served as the Solomon Islands’ Ambassador to Taiwan.
Gukuna was first elected to Parliament in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. During his tenure, he held ministerial positions including as Minister for Culture and Tourism (2007–2010), and Minister for Infrastructure Development (from 2012). As Tourism Minister, he advocated for infrastructure projects to boost tourism in Lake Tegano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In his capacity as Minister of Infrastructure Development from 2012, Gukuna played a pivotal role in the Solomon Islands Road Improvement (Sector) Project, which aimed to improve transportation networks and connect remote communities, thereby facilitating economic growth and access to essential services.
He was also Chair of Parliamentary House Committee in 2010 to 2012, and a Member of the Bills and Legislation, and Foreign Relations Committee around the same time.
In the 2014 general election, Gukuna was unseated by Tautai Agikimu’a Kaitu’u.
8th and 9th Parliament: Seth Gukuna (21st August 1961)
Seth Gukuna represented the Rennell-Bellona constituency in the National Parliament for two terms since 2006. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waikato in 1987 and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of the South Pacific in 1998. Before entering politics, Gukuna served as the Solomon Islands’ Ambassador to Taiwan.
Gukuna was first elected to Parliament in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. During his tenure, he held ministerial positions including as Minister for Culture and Tourism (2007–2010), and Minister for Infrastructure Development (from 2012). As Tourism Minister, he advocated for infrastructure projects to boost tourism in Lake Tegano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In his capacity as Minister of Infrastructure Development from 2012, Gukuna played a pivotal role in the Solomon Islands Road Improvement (Sector) Project, which aimed to improve transportation networks and connect remote communities, thereby facilitating economic growth and access to essential services.
He was also Chair of Parliamentary House Committee in 2010 to 2012, and a Member of the Bills and Legislation, and Foreign Relations Committee around the same time.
In the 2014 general election, Gukuna was unseated by Tautai Agikimu’a Kaitu’u.
10th and 11th Parliament: Dr. Tautai Agikimu’a Kaitu’u (19th September 1959) represented the Rennell-Bellona constituency in the National Parliament in 2014, and again in 2019. Dr. Kaitu’u holds several medical qualifications that underpin his career as a physician and politician.
He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of the South Pacific. In Australia, he later obtained the Australian Medical Council (AMC) certification, which is essential for international medical graduates to practice in Australia. Additionally, he became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP), signifying his specialized training and recognition in general practice.
Elected to Parliament in 2014, Dr. Kaitu’u served as Minister of Health and Medical Services, where he launched the National Health Strategic Plan 2016–2020, aiming to enhance healthcare delivery across the nation. This comprehensive plan aimed to improve healthcare delivery by focusing on universal health coverage, enhancing service quality, and strengthening partnerships.
He was re-elected in 2019 and appointed Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs. Dr. Kaitu’u was unseated as the Member of Parliament for the Rennell-Bellona constituency by John Tuhaika (Jr).
10th and 11th Parliament: Dr. Tautai Agikimu’a Kaitu’u (19th September 1959)
Dr. Tautai Agikimu’a Kaitu’u represented the Rennell-Bellona constituency in the National Parliament in 2014, and again in 2019. Dr. Kaitu’u holds several medical qualifications that underpin his career as a physician and politician.
He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of the South Pacific. In Australia, he later obtained the Australian Medical Council (AMC) certification, which is essential for international medical graduates to practice in Australia. Additionally, he became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP), signifying his specialized training and recognition in general practice.
Elected to Parliament in 2014, Dr. Kaitu’u served as Minister of Health and Medical Services, where he launched the National Health Strategic Plan 2016–2020, aiming to enhance healthcare delivery across the nation. This comprehensive plan aimed to improve healthcare delivery by focusing on universal health coverage, enhancing service quality, and strengthening partnerships.
He was re-elected in 2019 and appointed Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs. Dr. Kaitu’u was unseated as the Member of Parliament for the Rennell-Bellona constituency by John Tuhaika (Jr).
12th Parliament: John Tuhaika Jr. (21st August 1981)
John Tuhaika Jr. is the current Member of Parliament for Rennell-Bellona constituency, elected in April 2024 as an independent candidate. He holds a Bachelor in Economics and a Masters in Governance Studies from the University of the South Pacific (USP). He also holds a Master of Laws in International Law from the Australian National University (ANU) and a Diploma in Regional Trade Policy from the National University of Singapore (NUS/WTO).
He served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously and as a consultant with the World Bank and other international organizations in Honiara. Initially appointed Minister for Public Service under the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), Tuhaika resigned from the government in December 2024 and served as an opposition MP. In May 2025 Tuhaika returned as a Cabinet Minister, holding the portfolio of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs.
12th Parliament: John Tuhaika Jr. (21st August 1981) is the current Member of Parliament for Rennell-Bellona constituency, elected in April 2024 as an independent candidate. He holds a Bachelor in Economics and a Masters in Governance Studies from the University of the South Pacific (USP). He also holds a Master of Laws in International Law from the Australian National University (ANU) and a Diploma in Regional Trade Policy from the National University of Singapore (NUS/WTO).
He served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously and as a consultant with the World Bank and other international organizations in Honiara. Initially appointed Minister for Public Service under the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), Tuhaika resigned from the government in December 2024 and served as an opposition MP. In May 2025 Tuhaika returned as a Cabinet Minister, holding the portfolio of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs.