He eventually returned to his home country, and worked in public service, becoming Permanent Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment.
[2] In the 2001 Birthday Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) "for public and community service".
[4][5] In August 2004, however, he crossed the floor, providing the Opposition with the majority it needed to topple the government through a motion of no confidence.
[6] Over the following weeks, Opposition leader Maatia Toafa and ousted prime minister Saufatu Sopoanga formed an unexpected alliance.
[10] He was selected as the Opposition's candidate for a crucial by-election in Nukufetau on 28 June 2013, which would determine which side of parliament had a majority.