Toaripi Lauti was a teacher at King George V Secondary School in Tarawa from 1954 to 1962.

[1] In 1974, he entered politics and became a member of the House of Assembly for the constituency of Funafuti of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, as leader of the Opposition.

[4][5] The administration of Toaripi Lauti had become involved in controversy, as a result of his decision to invest nearly all of the government's money with an American real estate salesman who promised 15 percent returns from the purchase of land in Texas.

[7] While the funds were recovered by US agencies,[8][9] the controversy resulted in a loss of confidence in his judgment and was an important factor in the election of Puapua.

Lauti also served as the President of the Funafuti Town Council and as a member of the Tuvalu Language Board.