Rongomatane Ngaakaara Ariki was an '' ariki'' of the island of Atiu in the Cook Islands. He established Atiuan domination over the neighbouring islands of Mitiaro, and Mauke through a succession of raids. He was converted to Christianity in 1823 by

John Williams John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932)Nylund, Rob (15 November 2022)Classic Connection review ''WBOI'' ("For the second time this year, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic honored American composer, conductor, and arranger John Williams, who wa ...

of the London Missionary Society, and showed him the way to

Rarotonga Rarotonga is the largest and most populous of the Cook Islands. The island is volcanic, with an area of , and is home to almost 75% of the country's population, with 13,007 of a total population of 17,434. The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings a ...

. Rongomatane Ngaakaara was a son of Tinokura, the first Rongomatane, and a grandson of Te Ruaautu, who had first united Atiu. When an Atiuan chief was killed by a chief from Mauke, he sailed to Mauke with a fleet of eighty war canoes. The Mauke people fled, but were dragged from their hiding places and forced to dig earth ovens, before being killed, dismembered, cooked, and eaten. Ngaakaara then returned to Atiu, leaving one of his own men, Tararo, in charge. When Tararo was overthrown, Ngaakaara returned and again killed, cooked and ate the rebels, though this time women and children were spared. Between these two expeditions he had also conquered Mitiaro in another raid, and subsequently the ''ariki'' of both islands were subordinate to those of Atiu. Rongomatane Ngaakaara greeted John Williams' ship when it arrived at Atiu. After discussion with Tamatoa Ariki of

Aitutaki Aitutaki, also traditionally known as Araura and Utataki, is the second most-populated island in the Cook Islands, after Rarotonga. It is an "almost atoll", with fifteen islets in a lagoon adjacent to the main island. Total land area is , and the ...

, who was accompanying Williams, he converted to Christianity and agreed to destroy Atiu's religious symbols.Large (1913), p. 74. He then accompanied Williams to Mauke and Mitiaro and enforced similar changes there. After returning to Atiu, he showed Williams the course to take to Rarotonga. After his death the Rongomatane title passed to Mana Rongomatane.

References

{{reflist People from Atiu Royalty of the Cook Islands Converts to Christianity from pagan religions