Makin Island Councils Island Profile

1. MAKIN BRIEF BACKGROUD

Makin is located six km northeast of the northeastern corner of Butaritari atoll reef and 6.9 km from the Butaritari islet of Namoka. It is a linear reef feature, 12.3 km long north-south, with five islets, the two larger ones being inhabited (Makin and Kiebu). The third largest, and southernmost islet, Onne, is also inhabitable. This string of islands is the northernmost feature of the Gilbert Islands, and the third most northerly in the island nation of Kiribati (only Teraina and Tabuaeran of the Line Islands are more northerly). Makin is not a true atoll, but since the largest and northernmost of the islets, also called Makin, has a nearly landlocked lagoon, 0.3 km2 in size and connected to the open sea in the east only through a 15 metre wide channel (with a road bridge over it), it might be considered a degenerate atoll. Kiebu, the second largest islet, has an even smaller, completely landlocked lagoon on its eastern side, with about 80 m in diameter (making an area of about 0.005 km2 or 0.5 hectares) and at distance of 60 m to the open sea.

2. MAKIN WARDS PER ISLAND

Makin consists of 4 wards:

  1. Kiebu
  2. Makin Maiaki
  3. Makin Nuka
  4. Makin Meang

3. ELECTED COUNCILORS 2025 - 2026

Makin councilors for 2025 - 2026 consists of 8 councilors. The Mayor and 7 councilors.

     Name:                                                   Wards:

  1. Mayor  Uaati Bwebwetaake         Makin Maiaki Ward
  2. Councilor - Teuea Makata             Kiebu Ward
  3. Councilor - Toakau Bakikatang    Kiebu Ward
  4. Councilor - Buariki Teitibwebwa Makin Maiaki
  5. Councilor - Kararaua Tebabura   Makin Nuka
  6. Councilor - Tonana Aree               Makin Nuka
  7. Councilor - Kavete Karaiti            Makin Meang
  8. Councilor - Takibo Tetuai             Makin Meang

4. SPECIAL MEMBER

Makin special member for the council for 2025 - 2026 is only one which is Te Unimwaane.

5. EX-OFFICAILS MEMBERS

Ex-Officials from Makin Island Councils consist of 2 which are the Honorable Minister Auria Kitina, and Honorable Pinto Katia

For this record, the total number of Full Council Members is 12 from the 2 villages of Makin.

To view Makin Google Maps Statellite, please click here