A civil engineer by trade,[1][2] he was described in 2008 as a "leader of the community" on his home island of Niutao.

[3] He is also the Vice President of the Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee,[4] and a leading member of the Tuvalu Amateur Sports Association.

[9][10] He lost office just three months later, when Toafa's government was brought down by a motion of no confidence.

[12] On 28 September 2013, Vete Sakaio concluded his speech to the General Debate of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly with an appeal to the world, "please save Tuvalu against climate change.

[13] In the 2015 New Year Honours, Sakaio was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for public and community service.