Pomare V was the son of Queen Pomare IV. He was born as Teri'i Tari'a Te-ra-tane and became Heir Apparent and Crown Prince (Ari'i-aue) upon the death of his elder brother on 13 May 1855. He became king of Tahiti on the death of his mother on 17 September 1877. His coronation was on 24 September 1877 at Pape'ete. He married twice; first on 11 November 1857 to Te-ma-ri'i-Ma'i-hara Te-uhe-a-Te-uru-ra'i; princess of Huahine. He divorced her on 5 August 1861. His second marriage was to Joanna Mara'u-Ta'aroa Te-pa'u (thereafter known as Her Majesty The Queen Marau of Tahiti); at Pape'ete on 28 January 1875. He divorced her on 25 January 1888. Pomare V had one son and two daughters.

On 29 June 1880; he gave Tahiti and its dependencies to France; whereupon he was given a pension by the French government and the titular position of Officer of the Orders of the Legion of Honour and Agricultural Merit of France. He died from alcoholism at the Royal Palace; Pape'ete; and is buried at the Tomb of the King; Utu'ai'ai in 'Arue.