| Makea Pori Ariki | |
|---|---|
| High Chief of Te Au O Tonga | |
Makea Pori Ariki (c. 1837) | |
| Reign | 1823–1839 |
| Predecessor | Makea Tinirau Ariki |
| Successor | Makea Davida Ariki |
| Born | Unknown Avarua,Rarotonga |
| Died | 28 October 1839 |
| Issue | Makea Te Vaerua Ariki |
| House | House of Te Au O Tonga |
| Dynasty | Makea Nui dynasty |
Makea Pori Ariki (b – 28 October 1839) was a sovereign of theCook Islands. He was theariki (king or high chief) of theMakea Nui (Great Makea) dynasty, one of the threechiefdoms of theTe Au O Tonga tribe on the island ofRarotonga.
He was the son of Makea Tinirau Ariki. According to at least one account, when the English missionaryJohn Williams and the Tahitian evangelistPapeiha arrived at Rarotonga in 1823, Makea Pori was theariki, but that his father had retired and was still alive, being known also by the name Makea Metua (metua meaning 'father').[1][2][3] His father died in 1826.[2][3] After agreeing to destroy theirtemple and thepagan idols of his tribe, Makea Pori Ariki wasbaptized in 1825.[4]
He died on 28 October 1839 and was succeeded by his eldest son Makea Davida,[5] who was in turn succeeded by his sister, Makea Pori's eldest daughterMakea Te Vaerua Ariki.