Born at Maungatautaiti and came to Otaki with the second Heke after Te Whatanui. He was of the Ngati Maiotaki hapu of the Ngati Raukawa. He was the elder brother of Matingi who was killed at the battle of Hoawhenua in 1834. In 1843 Rawiri was married to Meriana Te Rangiura and they had one daughter Erena. When Meriana died is not known but in 1856 Rawiri was remarried to Anikauoro Topere and four daughters were born to them. Rawiri was among the first of the Ngati Raukawa to turn to Christianity and was baptised in 1841. Rawiri was trained for the Ministry by Hadfield and ordained Deacon in 1872, and for the next ten years he worked as James McWilliams assistant at Rangiatea. [Source: Otaki Historical Society Journal Vol 2 1979]. Crown granted Te Wanui land near Waikawa, (Takapu, government trig), Otaki, 1873.
Te Wanui, Rawiri (Rev), -1882
Register of male and female population - He Tuhituhinga o nga tangata o te Hahi - Kapit...
Date: 1845-1846
From: Church of the Province of New Zealand. Wellington Diocese : Central and parish records
Reference: MSZ-0080
Description: Contains a census of the Anglican Māori male population of the Kapiti and Horowhenua areas, with occasional notes about various individuals. Also includes some Tainui whakapapa at the back. Ngāti Te Upokoiri is written as a hapū of Ngāti Raukawa. This is possibly an error and should be recorded as Ngāti Te Upokoiti. Title taken from item. Arrangement: Boxed together with MSZ-0081, MSZ-0082, MSZ-0083, MSZ-0084, MSZ-0085, and folders MSZ-0085A, MSZ-0085B and MSZ-0085C Quantity: 1 volume(s).
Maori place-names of New Zealand (vol 10)
Date: [1930-1940]
From: Adkin, George Leslie, 1888-1964 : Ethnological notebooks
Reference: MS-Papers-6061-11
Description: Contents comprise sketch map of part Waikawa River and Autaha Swamp, Manakau, Horowhenua (1875); Otaki-Mangaone coastal area, Horowhenua; south-western part of Banks Peninsula, inland and coast; Akaroa Harbour; lower course of Manawatu River, Stewart's survey (1858), Brees's survey (1842) Arrangement: Notebook no 10 Quantity: 1 folder(s) (volume).
Wyles & Buck :Waikawa, Otaki, 1873. Claimed by Rewetti Te Kohu and Tamihana Whareakaka ...
Date: 1873
By: Wyles & Buck (Firm); Buck, William Seldon, 1846-1919
Reference: MapColl-832.43gbbd/1873/Acc.10334
Description: Survey map of Waikawa, Otaki, from the sea, southwards to Waitohu government trig, westwards to Pukehou government trig and Hanawera, and northwards of the Waikawa River to an unnamed pa site near Okau. Depicts Te Rauparaha's Pa (68 acres) next to the Waikawa River, Te Kotai (13 acres), and three Crown land grants - Huritini (1024 acres) to Manahi, an unspecified grant to Rawiri Wanui, as well as Hakeri No. 6F, granted to J and R Ransfield. Several Maori place names are shown, including Wakahoro and Ketemaringi. Contains several pencil annotations regarding numerical survey detail, including a circumference of figures around an unnamed point near Te Motu peak. Includes a reference chart of 191 lines with bearings and distances. Note on map 'I certify ... Buck - S I N L Act, Wellington 1873 transmitted to the Chief Surveyor of the Province of Wellington ... 1874, Wyles & Buck' top left hand corner. 'Ketemaringi' written in pencil on map. Quantity: 1 manuscript map(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper, part coloured, scale [1:15 840], 69.8 x 102.2 cm.
[Barraud, Charles Decimus] 1822-1897 :Orewa Te Wanui [wife of?] Rawiri Te Wanui [ca 1860]
From: [Barraud, Charles Decimus] 1822-1897 :Ruamahunga River [18--] Orewa Te Wanui [wife of?] Rawiri Te Wanui [18--]
By: Barraud, Charles Decimus, 1822-1897
Reference: B-005-008-2
Description: A Maori woman carrying a kete Quantity: 1 drawing(s). Physical Description: Pencil 361 x 252 mm
Letter from Rawiri Te Wanui to Mihi Harawira
Date: 8 Aug 1871
From: McLean, Donald (Sir), 1820-1877 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0032-0695E-02
Description: Quantity: 1 piece (2 pages on 1 leaf).
Letter from Karanama Te Kapukaiota, Heremaia Te Tihi Akapika Te Tewe and others to McLean
Date: 19 Sep 1871
From: McLean, Donald (Sir), 1820-1877 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0032-0695F-04
Description: Quantity: 1 piece (3 pages on 1 leaf).
Maori letters
Date: Jan-Jun 1863
From: Mantell family: Collection
Reference: MS-Papers-0083-195
Description: Contains letters from Maori to Mantell and other Government officials about land tenure, and a rejection of unauthorised land sales Also contains letters warning of a general Maori uprising under the aegis of the Kingitanga including a letter from the Ngati Toa chief Hohaia Te Pokaitara concerned about a Kingite meeting in Waikanae; acknowledging receipt of a government circular on the issue and denouncing the activities of the Kingitanga; also contains a letter that has a Maori casualty list following conflicts in the Wanganui area. Also contains a letter to Mantell from a Maori in Wellington prison seeking leniency Also contains correspondence giving examples of the Kai Tahu dialect. Quantity: 1 folder(s).