Tupaia Draws a Chart of the Pacific for Cook’s Expedition

Born around 1725 at Haamanino Harbour on the island of Raiatea, Tupaia was educated in the fare-ai-raa-upu, traditional centers of learning where Polynesian scholars studied cosmic origins, genealogies, calendars, and historic traditions. He rose to the rank of arioi priest at the Taputapuatea marae, mastering an intricate mental archive of star courses, sailing bearings, travel durations, and reef passages. His memorized geography spanned the Society, Austral, and Cook Islands, reaching westward toward Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau, and Rotuma. When warriors from neighboring Bora Bora invaded Raiatea around 1763, an injured Tupaia fled to Tahiti. There he established himself as a high priest and advisor to the Papara leaders Amo and Purea, later meeting European expeditions such as Samuel Wallis's crew and the British naturalists aboard HMS Endeavour.

When HMS Endeavour prepared to depart the Society Islands in July 1769, the expedition's botanist, Joseph Banks, strongly advocated for Tupaia to join the crew. Banks recognized the priest's geographic and linguistic value, though he also regarded him as a source of companionship and a curiosity for British society. The expedition's commander, Lieutenant James Cook, initially balked at the financial burden of adding another passenger, but he relented once Banks offered to cover Tupaia's living expenses. Tupaia boarded the ship with vast regional knowledge, able to give an account of nearly 130 islands, 74 of which later appeared on the chart he drew.