[2] Tupa was born on Rarotonga and educated at Avarua School and Tereora College.
He was reappointed to the position in 2009, but a report from the national audit office subsequently found that the reappointment decision had been unduly influenced by his mother and had been made on the basis of political interest, not merit.
[2] Disagreement over the appointment had led to a cabinet reshuffle, with the environment portfolio been removed from Kete Ioane by Prime Minister Jim Marurai and given to Ngamau Munokoa so that she could make the appointment.
[4] Tupa is a traditional drummer[5] and a member of the Te Korero Maori Cultural Performing Arts Group.
He will also share the Environment and the Cook Islands Investment Corporation portfolios with senior MPs.