The 45-year-old, known to many only as John Mane, unseated Severino Nuaiasi and shrug off another heavy weight Andrew Nori to claim the title.
Mr Maneniaru said it was not easy to unseat reigning MPs because of their financial capability.
"It is not easy for a new MP to come into the system, but I must congratulate the new comers because I know it was not an easy ride to the top," he said.
He said the former MPs will always have the upper hand over the other candidates.
"This is because of the power of money, and I experienced this because even my trusted people just dumped me for money."
Mr Maneniaru resigned from a lucrative post to contest the West Are'are seat.
He was the General Manager of the Investment Cooperation of Solomon Islands (ICSI).
"I decided to relinquish my good job because I have seen that West Are'are has been constantly sitting under par in terms of development over the years.
"That really challenges me because someone has to intercept and take things forward."
He said he joined no party prior to the election because he wants to represent his people in a new government.
Mr Maneniaru, who hails from Uhu village, was a national basketball skipper from 1991 to 2003 and is still a member of the Marist basketball team.
By EDNAL PALMER
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