Tima, an Aitutakian warrior sailed to Nassau, but was chased away by Ngalewu. On his return to Aitutaki he passed the reef nearby and named it Te Toka-O-Tima, the Stone of Tima (1). It is now known as Tima Reef or Tema Reef (2).

The reef was sighted by Commodore John Byron on June 21, 1765 (3). Captain William Williams of the missionary ship “John Williams” sighted the reef on May 15,1864. It was again examined by H.M.S. “Alert” in 1880. It is some 400 to 600 meter in diameter (4).

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