He is one of several churchmen who have been active in Vanuatu politics, like Father Walter Lini, Rev.
Hailing from Uripiv island near Malekula, he became lands minister in the last pre-independence government of the New Hebrides in November 1979.
He was Christian Education Officer with the Presbyterian Church of New Hebrides, before becoming Minister of Lands in the new government of Vanuatu on Independence in July 1980.
He married an Australian-born missionary teacher, Dorothy Rutter, who also became a pastor in the Presbyterian Church.
They have five sons, including Ralph Regenvanu, formerly the long-time director of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre and currently Minister for Lands in the government of Moana Carcasses.