Topeora Proud and imperious Rangi-Topeara was of the highest birth, a descendant of Hoturoa of the Tainui canoe. She was a niece of Te Rauparaha and a sister of Te Rangihaeata, Raupzraha's great fighting ally. Born at Kawhia. she came south when her people Ngati Toa were led by Te Rauparaha to a new home at Kapiti Island and on the shores of Cook Strait. Later she lived at Otaki, where she died in about 1873. Topeora was a famous poet, and many of her songs are still known and sung to-day, Some are love songs composed for her several husbands and lovers; others are kaioraora, cursing songs directed at her enemies. Her high birth and strength of character made her an important person in her tribe, and she was one of those who signed the Treaty of Waitangi. When she and her husband were baptised in the 1840s she chose as their new names Queen Victoria (Kuini Wikitoria) and Albert (Arapeta). No other names would do.

Tuhoto Tuhoto Ariki came of a long line of high priests of Te Arawa, and from his youth he was set apart as one who was learning the mysteries of the priesthood. He lived on Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua in the early years of the last century, and was greatly feared as a tangata makutu, a wizard who could destroy men by his magic. At the time of the terrible Tarawera eruption of 1886, old Tuhoto was living at Wairoa on Lake Tarawera with his kinsmen of the Tuhourangi tribe. The people of the village believed that it was Tuhoto who had caused the disaster, by calling upon the god of volcanoes to arise and destroy the tribe. In the eruption Tuhoto was buried alive in his little house beneath a sea of mud and ashes. He was dug out four days later by a Pakcha rescue team, and to everyone's astonishment was found to be still alive. He died a few days later, aged about 100.