Patu-iki is the title that was given to the kings of the Pacific Ocean

Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...

 island of Niue

Niue

Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...

. This indigenous monarchy ruled the island from the early eighteenth century, prior to which there had been no nationally organised government of the island, which was instead run by local chieftains. The Patu-iki system continued from the appointment of the first Patu-Iki, Puni-mata in around 1700 until the island was ceded to the British Crown by the eighth Patu-iki, Togia-Pula-toaki in 1900.

The concept of kingship in Niue may have arisen due to increased contact with the monarchial systems in place in Samoa and Tonga. Niue's kingship system was non-hereditary, leaders being elected by the population from among the heads of influential families.