Tītokowaru

Riwha Tītokowaru
Bornc.1823
Ōkaiawa, Te Takiwā-a-Ngāti Ruanui, Aotearoa
Died18 August 1888 (aged 65)
Ōkaiawa, Hāwera County, Colony of New Zealand
Burial
Unknown (secret burial)

Riwha Tītokowaru (born Riwha, c. 1823– 18 August 1888) was a Taranaki Māori rangatira, military commander, general and religious leader. He is considered to be one of the most capable and influential military strategists in New Zealand history. He waged a war against invading settlers and Crown forces which became known as Tītokowaru's War. His reputation has stayed largely the same for 150 years; James Belich has described him as "perhaps the greatest war leader either of New Zealand’s peoples has ever produced".

After the period of warfare he again became an advocate for peace and made diplomatic efforts between Māori, colonial settlers and the government. He was arrested and jailed after a peaceful occupation of land near Manaia in 1886 and he died two years later in 1888.