[citation needed] Initially recognised as supreme sovereign and Ariʻi-maro-ʻura by the ruler of Huahine, he was subsequently forced from Tahiti and took refuge in Moʻorea on 22 December 1808, but returned and defeated his enemies at the Battle of Te Feipī, on 11 November 1815.

He was baptised on 16 May 1819 at the Royal Chapel, Papeʻete – Christianity and the support of English missionaries aided the centralisation of monarchic power.

Pōmare II was married first before March 1797 (betrothed January 1792) to his double first cousin Tetua-nui Taro-vahine, Ariʻi of Vaiari (now Papeari), who died at ʻArue, on 21 July 1806.

Around 1809, he married two sisters: Teriʻitoʻoterai Teremoemoe and Teriʻitariʻa who were daughters of Tamatoa III, Ariʻi Rahi of Raiatea.

[12] With his second wife Teriʻitoʻoterai Teremoemoe, he had three children:[12][1] Pōmare died of alcohol-related causes at Motu Uta, Papeete, Tahiti on 7 December 1821.