On September 20, 1979, representatives of the newly independent Republic of Kiribati and of the United States met in Tarawa to sign a treaty of friendship between the two nations, known as the Treaty of Tarawa. In this treaty, the U.S. acknowledged Kiribati sovereignty over fourteen islands. The treaty came into force on September 23, 1983, by the exchange of the instruments of ratification, which took place at Suva, Fiji.

Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. It is the location of the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, South Tarawa. The island is best known by outsiders as the site of the Battle of Tarawa during World War II.

Tarawa consists of around 24 larger islets, of which at least eight are inhabited. The largest islet (South Tarawa) extends from Bonriki (southeast corner of the atoll) along the entire south side but Betio of the lagoon to Bairiki. A causeway, called the "Japanese causeway", now connects Bairiki to Betio. The largest town, Bikenibeu, and the only airport on Tarawa, Bonriki International Airport, are on South Tarawa. Tarawa is located at approximately latitude 1°22'47" N, longitude 173°09'06" E (Bonriki Airport).

The population as of 1990 was 28,802. The population is mostly Gilbertese (Micronesian). This probably exceeds the carrying capacity of the islands and is maintained at its current level without starvation principally due to foreign aid, largely from Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

Te Ururoa James William Ben Flavell (born 7 December 1955) is a New Zealand politician and currently^[update] serves as a member of the Parliament of New Zealand.

Flavell, born in Tokoroa, has affiliations to the Ngapuhi, Ngati Rangiwewehi, and Te Arawa iwi. He trained as a teacher, and taught at the secondary and tertiary level for many years. He later held a number of roles in the education sector, including school principal, and then worked as a consultant to various government agencies.

In the 2005 general election, Flavell stood as a candidate for the Māori Party in the Waiariki electorate and as 10th on the party list. He won the election against the incumbent, Mita Ririnui, and entered Parliament.

The Waiariki electorate was contested by two contenders in the 2008 election: the incumbent and Ririnui. Flavell was once again confirmed.

The Waiariki electorate was contested by three contenders in the 2011 election: Flavell, Annette Sykes of the Mana Party and Louis Te Kani of the Labour Party. Flavell was returned to Parliament for the third successive time.

Tau Henare (born 29 September 1960) is a New Zealand Māori parliamentarian. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1993 to 1999 and returned to Parliament in 2005. He has been involved with four political parties: Mana Motuhake, New Zealand First, Mauri Pacific and the National Party - representing three in parliament.

Henare was born and educated in Auckland. Before entering politics, he held a number of governmental and consultancy positions, including advisory roles at the Department of Internal Affairs and with the Waitakere City Council. His family has a political history, with Henare's great-grandfather, Taurekareka (Tau) Henare, having served in Parliament from 1914 to 1948 alongside famous Māori politicians such as Apirana Ngata, James Carroll and Maui Pomare. Henare's own involvement with Māori politics began with Mana Motuhake, a purely Māori party. When Winston Peters (himself half Māori) established the New Zealand First party, Henare changed the focus of his activities.

Henare first won election to Parliament in the 1993 elections as the New Zealand First candidate for the Northern Maori electorate. He defeated Bruce Gregory, the incumbent Labour Party member, a surprising result given Labour's traditional dominance in the Māori electorates. He became New Zealand First's second MP, joining Peters in the House. As such, Henare became New Zealand First's deputy leader.