[1] He grew up in the Cook Islands, but attended the Protestant School in Papeete until being called home at the age of 14 to look after the family farm, his father having died in 1918.

[2] He also became a skipjack fisherman, losing an eye while fishing aged 20 and started a sea transport business linking Moorea and Tahiti.

[2] In 1949 Teariki was a founder member of the Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People (RDPT).

Oopa was elected, but died the following year, resulting in Teariki becoming a member of the National Assembly.

[2] Tearik continued to be re-elected to the Territory Assembly in 1972, 1977 and 1982, and served as its president in 1969–1970, 1971–1972, 1978–1979 and 1980–1981.