| Maco Tevane | |
| Office3: | Minister of Culture and the Environment |
| President3: | Gaston Flosse |
| Term Start3: | 18 May 1994 |
| Term End3: | 4 August 1994 |
| Predecessor3: | Justin Arapari (culture) Pierre Dehors (environment) |
| Successor3: | Patrick Howell |
| Office4: | Minister of Social Affairs, Employment, and Labour |
| Term Start4: | 11 September 1991 |
| Term End4: | 18 May 1994 |
| Predecessor4: | Joël Buillard |
| Successor4: | Raymond Van Bastolaer |
| Birth Date: | 13 August 1937 |
| Birth Place: | Papeete, French Polynesia |
| Death Date: | 21 August 2013.[1] |
| Death Place: | Papeete, French Polynesia |
| Party: | Here Ai'a |
Maco Tevane, real name Marc Maamaatuaiahutapu (13 August 1937 – 21 August 2013) was a French Polynesian author, playwright, and politician who served as Minister of Culture in the government of Gaston Flosse in the 1990s. He was a defender of Polynesian culture and the Tahitian language and is considered the founding father of popular Tahitian theatre. He was the father of politician Heremoana Maamaatuaiahutapu[2] and TNTV director Mateata Maamaatuaiahutapu.[3]
After graduating from high school with a national diploma he worked as a surveyor for the land registry before working for the lands service.[4] [5] After gaining a qualification in teaching Tahitian he worked as a court interpreter and then for the Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française as a television host.[1]
In August 1972 he founded the Tahitian Academy.[6] In 1974 he was one of its first academic members. In 1979 he created the Artistic Conservatory of French Polynesia to promote traditional arts and culture.[7]
In October 1966 Tevane was elected as a municipal councillor in Papeete.[5] From 1972 to 1982 he worked as an advisor to the French Polynesian government.[4] He frequently represented French Polynesia at meetings of the South Pacific Commission.
He stood unsuccessfully for the National Assembly in the 1978 French legislative election, losing to Gaston Flosse.[8] He ran again in the 1981 election, but gained only 3.9% of the vote.[9] Shortly before the 1982 French Polynesian legislative election he founded the Social Democrat party with Frantz Vanizette, but gained only 2.8% of the vote.[10]
In September 1991 he was appointed Minister of Social Affairs, Employment, and Labour in the government of Gaston Flosse. He later served as Minister of Culture and the Environment.[4] He resigned as a minister in August 1994 following a coalition realignment.[11]
In 1983 he was made a Chevalier of the Ordre national du Mérite.[4] In 1989 he was made an officer.[4]
In June 2000 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Tahiti Nui.[12]
In November 2016 Taunoa College was renamed as Maco Tevane College in his honour.[13] [14]