Tangatapoto is from Mangaia and was educated at Mitiaro School, Tereora College, and the University of the South Pacific.
[1] He worked as a government builder, acting Island secretary for Mitiaro, and as chief executive of Mitiaro's island government.
[1][2] He contested the seat of Mitiaro in the 2014 election, and gained an exact tie with his rival Tangata Vavia.
[3] The tie was confirmed by a recount, and a by-election called, but the count was delayed by a court order.
[4] The court found that one person had voted illegally in the general election, and as a result Vavia was declared the winner and the by-election votes discarded without being counted.