Tamatoa VI facts for kids
Prince Ari'imate Teururai, who later became known as King Tamatoa VI, was an important member of a royal family from Tahiti. This family, called the House of Teururai, ruled the islands of Huahine and Maia'o in the 1800s. He was born in 1853 and passed away in 1905. Tamatoa VI was made king of the islands of Ra'iatea and Taha'a in 1884, but his rule ended in 1888.
Quick facts for kids Tamatoa VI |
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| King of Raiatea and Tahaa | |||||
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| King of Ra'iatea and Taha'a | |||||
| Reign | 25 January 1885 – 18 March 1888 | ||||
| Coronation | 22 January 1885 | ||||
| Predecessor | Tehauroa | ||||
| Successor | Monarchy abolished in 1888 for French Third Republic Tuarii (rebel government) |
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| Born | 1853 Téfareri'i, Huahine |
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| Died | September 15, 1905 (aged 51-52) Téfareri'i, Huahine |
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| Burial | Téfareri'i, Huahine | ||||
| Spouse | The Hon. Chiefess Tétuanuimarama Tati | ||||
| Issue | Hereditary Prince Tamatoa of Ra'iatea Prince Opuhara Teururai Princess Tévahiné Teururai Prince Mahiné Teururai Princess Téri'imanaiterai Teururai |
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| House | House of Teurura'i | ||||
| Father | King Ariimate Teururai of Huahine | ||||
| Mother | Queen Teha'apapa II of Huahine | ||||
Who Was King Tamatoa VI?
Prince Ari'imate Teururai was born in 1853 on the island of Huahine. He was the very last King of the islands of Ra'iatea and Taha'a.
His father was King Ari'imate of Huahine. His mother was Princess Maerehia Tehaapapa of Ra'iatea. She was the only child of King Tamatoa IV of Ra'iatea who was still alive. After her husband was no longer king in 1868, she became the ruling Queen of Huahine. She was known by her royal name, Tehaʻapapa II.
Becoming King of Raiatea and Tahaa
Prince Ari'imate Teururai was made king of Ra'iatea and Taha'a in 1884. His special crowning ceremony, called a coronation, happened on January 22, 1885. When he became king, he took the royal name Tamatoa VI.
His time as king ended when France took control of the two islands, Ra'iatea and Taha'a, on March 16, 1888. This act of taking control is called annexation.
After he gave up his throne, he went back to his home island of Huahine. In 1895, he was named the chief of Tefareriʻi in Huahine. This was the same year that his niece, Queen Tehaʻapapa III, was no longer queen.
Family Life
King Tamatoa VI married Tetua-nui Ha'amarurai a Tati. She was the daughter of Tamatoa Atiti-Oroi, from the Tati family of Papara. Together, they had six children: three sons and three daughters.
- Crown Prince Tamatoa of Raiatea and Taha'a.
- Prince Opuhara Pehupehu Teururai.
- Princess Tevahineha'amo'eatua Teururai.
- Princess Teri'imanaiterai Teururai.
- Prince Mahine Ta'aroari'i Teururai.
- Prince Tefauvero Teururai.
Even though the monarchy ended, their children are still considered the ones who would have been next in line for the royal family of Ra'iatea and Taha'a.
King Tamatoa VI passed away in Huahine in 1905.
