Tamatoa III

Tamatoa III (c. 1757–1831), also known as Tapa, Fa'o, or "The Tall," was a Polynesian monarch who reigned as King of Ra'iātea and Taha'a from 1816 until his death in 1831. As part of the influential Tamatoa dynasty, he played a significant role in the political and religious transformation of the Leeward Islands during the early 19th century. Tamatoa III was instrumental in the spread of Christianity, the establishment of legal codes, and the promotion of education, aligning closely with the efforts of the London Missionary Society. He also founded the town of Uturoa, which became an important center of administration and missionary activity. His reign was marked by inter-island alliances, religious reform, and eventual conflict, culminating in his death during a military campaign in 1831.