Pōmare III (1820–1827), born Teriʻitariʻa, was the

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Tahiti Tahiti (; Tahitian language, Tahitian , ; ) is the largest island of the Windward Islands (Society Islands), Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France. It is located in the central part of t ...

between 1821 and 1827. He was the second son of King Pōmare II and his second wife, Queen Teriʻitoʻoterai Tere-moe-moe. Sources differ on his relation to his sister with missionary sources citing them as half-siblings while later sources cited Tere-moe-moe as their mother.

Biography

He was born at Papofai, on 25 June 1820, as Teriʻitariʻa, and was baptised 10 September 1820. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his father 7 December 1821. He was crowned at Papaʻoa, ʻArue, 21 April 1824. The British missionaries decided that Pomare should have a coronation, although Tahitian tradition required investment with a sacred girdle and did not involve the use of a crown. The coronation was arranged by the British missionary Henry Nott and involved a procession of Tahitian judges and other dignitaries as well as British missionaries, accompanying the infant king, seated in a covered chair, to a specially-constructed stone platform. Here he sat behind a table carrying a crown, a bible and a book of Tahitian law. Mr. Davies, a senior missionary, spoke on his behalf, confirming that he agreed to reign with justice and mercy, according to the law and the word of God. Nott then placed the crown on his head. While Pomare was king the missionaries advanced their own agenda in his name, for example by having him write to

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to request British protection and the British flag. He ruled under the regency of his mother Queen Teriʻitoʻoterai Teremoemoe, his aunt and stepmother Teriʻitariʻa Ariʻipaea vahine, and the five principal chiefs of Tahiti due to his minority. Pōmare III's education took place at the South Sea Academy, Papetoai,

Moʻorea Moorea ( or ; , ), also spelled Moorea, is a volcanic island in French Polynesia. It is one of the Windward Islands (Society Islands), Windward Islands, a group that is part of the Society Islands, northwest of Tahiti. The name comes from the ...

. He died of

dysentery Dysentery ( , ), historically known as the bloody flux, is a type of gastroenteritis that results in bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, and a feeling of incomplete defecation. Complications may include dehyd ...

in January 1827 and was succeeded by his full sister, ʻAimata Pōmare IV Vahine o Punuateraʻiatua, who reigned 1827–1877.

Ancestry

References

Pōmare dynasty Tahitian monarchs Child monarchs from Oceania Monarchs who died as children Protestant monarchs Converts to Protestantism Pomare III Pomare III Deaths from dysentery French Polynesian Protestants 19th-century monarchs in Oceania {{Royal-stub