[2] Tapaitau was born on Rarotonga and educated at Avarua School and Tereora College.

[3] Following the election he decided to back the Cook Islands Party government of Henry Puna, and was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Infrastructure, Environmental Services, Transport, and Outer Islands Special Projects.

[4][5] On 1 October 2020, following the retirement of Henry Puna, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.

[9] On 17 May 2022 he was reinstated as Deputy Prime Minister and to most of his portfolios, but stripped of his responsibility for the National Environment Services and Infrastructure Cook Islands to avoid a conflict of interest with his ongoing criminal trial.

[14][15] He lost his seat in parliament as a result of his conviction, triggering the 2024 Penrhyn by-election.