RÃÂwiri Tareahi (fl. 1820–1850) was the principal leader of the NgÃÂti Hinepare subtribe of the NgÃÂti Kahungunu iwi (MÃÂori tribe), in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
He was born Tareahi in the late 18th century, probably at the NgÃÂti Hinepare settlement of Te Poraiti, on the western shore of Ahuriri Lagoon, near what became the European settlement of Napier. His mother was Te Huripatu, of NgÃÂti Hinepare, and his father was Waitaringa, of NgÃÂi TÃÂkaha, a hapà « that lived on the upper Ngaruroro River.
In the early 18th century Tareahi led NgÃÂti Hinepare warriors to victory in the battle of Taitimuroa, thus becoming recognised as the principal leader of NgÃÂti Hinepare.
In the early 1820s, during the Musket Wars, northern tribes threatened the NgÃÂti Kahungunu of Heretaunga (Hawke's Bay) and many of them moved to refuge at Nukutaurua, on MÃÂhia Peninsula. Tareahi and others, however, stayed to defend their home area. The musket-bearing tribes of Waikato, NgÃÂti Tà «wharetoa, NgÃÂti Maniapoto and NgÃÂti Raukawa attacked and massacred the tribes of Ahuriri. Tareahi and others were captured alive and taken to the Waikato. He was released and returned home 18 months later. With many NgÃÂti Kahungunu still at MÃÂhia, Heretaunga was deserted, but he remained, settling near à Âingo Lake.
Tareahi had several children â a son Porokoru Mapu, daughters Hepora, Ani Kanara Marewa and Rawinia Kaingaroa, and son PÃÂora Kaiwhata. He was baptised by the missionary William Colenso in the late 1840s, taking the Christian name RÃÂwiri (David). RÃÂwiri Tareahi died at Te Poraiti, possibly in the 1850s.