– 41 –

Aitutaki Invasion

The next battle in chronological sequence was at Iotepui in the Tavaenga district (Table 5). A war party from Aitutaki under the warriors Toa-pini and Toa-rere was defeated by the Ngariki under Amu. Amu was thus the victor and real Lord of Mangaia after Moke, but the recognized holder of the title was Teina-o-Vatea, another member of the Ngariki tribe. At this time, Vara had succeeded Papaaunuku as priest of Motoro.