[2] He attended the local London Missionary Society school and went on to become a poultry farmer, planter and a pastor for the Cook Islands Christian Church.
[1][2] In 1964 Pokoati was a founder member of the Cook Islands Party (CIP) and part of its central committee.
[2] Although he had lived on Rarotonga for several years,[2] he was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Mitiaro in 1965, defeating his cousin Titi Tetava Ariki.
Pokoati was re-elected again in 1974, but prior to the 1978 elections he left the CIP,[3] establishing the Unity Party.
[1] In 1977, Pokoati was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.