Ngāti Rakaipaaka people

George Nēpia (25 April 1905 – 27 August 1986) was a New Zealand Māori rugby union and rugby league player. He is remembered as an exceptional full-back and one of the most famous Māori rugby players. He was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2004 he was selected as number 65 by the panel of the New Zealand's Top 100 History Makers television show. Nēpia was featured in a set of postage stamps from the New Zealand post office in 1990. Historian Philippa Mein Smith described him as "New Zealand rugby's first superstar".

Henare Raumoa Te Huatahi Balneavis MVO (26 March 1880 – 13 May 1940) was a New Zealand interpreter, private secretary and public administrator of Māori descent. Through his mother Te Rina Matewai he was connected to Ngai Tamanuhiri, Ngati Kahungunu, and Ngati Rakaipaaka; through his father he was connected to Te Whakatohea iwi.

Hirini Whaanga Christy (16 August 1883 – 1 July 1955) was a New Zealand Mormon leader, farmer, interpreter, community leader. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Rakaipaaka iwi. He was born in Nuhaka, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand on 16 August 1883. He was a great grandson of Ihaka Whaanga.

Stuart Meha (29 December 1878 – 7 November 1963) was a New Zealand farmer and local Mormon leader. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Rakaipaaka and Rangitane iwi. He was born in Wanstead, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand on 29 December 1878.

James Waitaringa Mapu (4 March 1894–8 August 1985) was a New Zealand interpreter, sportsman, farmer and community leader. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Rakaipaaka iwi. He was born in Moteo, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand on 4 March 1894.

Ihaka Whaanga (died 14 December 1875) was a notable New Zealand tribal leader, assessor and military leader of northern Hawke's Bay. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngati Rakaipaaka iwi. Hirini Whaanga Christy was a great grandson. Whaanga died at Mahia on 14 December 1875.

Hemi Potatau (20 May 1904 – 18 January 1994) was a New Zealand Presbyterian minister, soldier, writer. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Rakaipaaka iwi. He was born in Nuhaka, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand in 1904. He also wrote the Scots College Haka in 1959.

Terence Laurie Sturm CBE (11 July 1941 – 25 May 2009) was a New Zealand professor of English literature and editor. His scholarship was mainly in the fields of Australian and New Zealand literature. He lectured at the University of Sydney from 1967 to 1980, after which he became professor of English at the University of Auckland. He edited the Oxford History of New Zealand Literature in English (first edition 1991, second edition 1998).