Thursday 5 March Missionary Day in French Polynesia

This article examines the historical origins of Missionary Day, a significant public holiday celebrated annually in French Polynesia. It details the 1797 arrival of the ship Duff, which brought Protestant missionaries from London to the shores of Tahiti. Despite initial cultural friction and health concerns among the indigenous population, these religious figures eventually secured the conversion of King Pomare II. This pivotal moment led to the establishment of the Maohi Protestant Church, which remains the dominant religious institution across the islands today. By contextualizing the colonial era and the spread of Christianity, the text illustrates how this specific date became a cornerstone of the region's cultural and spiritual identity.