Pōmare II, King of Tahiti (c. 1774 – December 7, 1821), fully Tu Tunuieaiteatua Pōmare II or in modern orthography Tū Tū-nui-ʻēʻa-i-te-atua Pōmare II (historically misspelled as Tu Tunuiea'aite-a-tua), was the second king of Tahiti between 1782 and 1821. He was installed by his father Pōmare I at Tarahoi, February 13, 1791. He ruled under regency from 1782 to 1803.
Initially recognised as supreme sovereign and Ariʻi-maro-ʻura by the ruler of Huahine, he was subsequently forced to take refuge in Moʻorea December 22, 1808, but returned and defeated his enemies at the Battle of Te Feipī, November 15, 1815. He was thereafter recognised as undisputed king (Te Ariʻi-nui-o-Tahiti) of Tahiti, Moʻorea and its dependencies.
Pōmare II was married first before March 1797 (betrothed January 1792) to Queen Tetua-nui Taro-vahine Ariʻi of Vaiari (now Papeari), who died at ʻArue, July 21, 1806.
He was baptised May 16, 1819 at the Royal Chapel, Papeʻete - Christianity and the support of English missionaries aided the centralisation of monarchic power.
Three London Missionary Society missionaries, Henry Bicknell, William Henry, and Charles Wilson preached at the baptism of King Pōmare II. Afterwards, "Henry Bicknell stood on the steps of the pulpit, took water from a basin held by William Henry, and poured it" on King Pōmare's head.[1]
Pōmare II died of drink-related causes at Motu Uta, Moʻorea, December 7, 1821.
He was succeeded by Teriʻi-ta-ria Pōmare III, who reigned 1821–27.
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| Preceded by Pōmare I |
King of Tahiti 1815–1821 |
Succeeded by Pōmare III |
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