Charles Tetaria

Charles Tetaria (born 1 January 1947) is a French Polynesian athlete, medical doctor, politician, and former Cabinet Minister. He has represented France at the South Pacific Games. He is an advocate for the Tahitian language and a member of the Tahitian Academy.

Tetaria was born in Papeete, but moved to France at the age of 15 to pursue his athletic career. He competed in the 1963 South Pacific Games in Suva, winning gold in the 110m hurdles and bronze in the long jump. At the 1966 South Pacific Games in Nouméa, New Caledonia, winning gold in the long jump, silver in the 110m hurdles, and bronze in the 4 × 100 m relay. At the 1969 South Pacific Games in Port Moresby, he won silver in the 110m hurdles and bronze in the decathlon. At the 1971 South Pacific Games in Pirae he won gold in the decathlon and 4 × 100 m relay, and bronze in the 110m hurdles.

After training as a medical doctor, he returned to French Polynesia in 1976. He worked in a blood transfusion centre and medical laboratories, and as a volunteer for the Olympic Committee of French Polynesia.

He was elected to the Assembly of French Polynesia as a Tahoera'a Huiraatira candidate at the 1982 French Polynesian legislative election and appointed Minister of Health and Social Affairs.

In November 2006 he was appointed Minister of Health again in the government of Oscar Temaru, following the resignation of Pia Hiro. He held the position until the Temaru government was toppled in December. He was reappointed with Temaru's other cabinet ministers in September 2007, holding office until February 2008. When Temaru returned as president following a confidence vote in April 2011 he was appointed Minister of Health and Solidarity. He lost the position following the 2013 election.

In June 2017, he was appointed to the Tahitian Academy, replacing Patua Coulin.

In June 2019, he was appointed a Knight of the Order of Tahiti Nui.