Pomare I

Pōmare I (died 1826) was a New Zealand Māori rangatira (chief) of the Ngāti Manu hapū (subtribe) of the Ngāpuhi iwi (tribe). Formerly called Whētoi, he adopted the name of Pōmare, after the name of the king of Tahiti who had converted to Christianity.

Relations with the Church Missionary Society (CMS) The Church Missionary Society (CMS) arrived in the Bay of Islands in 1814. Pōmare supplied food and timber to the missionaries. However other Europeans continued to trade muskets with the Ngāpuhi and other Māori tribes.

The missionaries regarded Pōmare as one of the important leaders in the Bay of Islands, together with Hongi Hika, Te Whareumu and Rākau. In July 1815 Pōmare went to visit Port Jackson (Sydney) in the missionary vessel Active. then the Ngāpuhi attached the Ngāti Maru of Te Totara pā, in the Thames area; As the chiefs did not want to escalate the fighting, a peaceful resolution was achieved.

Pōmare I was succeeded as leader of the Ngāti Manu hapū by his nephew, Whiria, who took his uncle’s names, Whetoi and Pōmare.

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