John Grey Taiaroa (16 September 1862 – 31 December 1907), of Ngāi Tahu descent, was a New Zealand rugby union player.

[3] Born in Otakou, the son of Hōri Kerei Taiaroa, a New Zealand Member of Parliament, Taiaroa played school-boy rugby for Otago Boys' High School and then for the Otago provincial side.

He went on to set a national record in the long jump and represent Hawke's Bay in first-class cricket during the 1890s as an attacking batsman.

[4][5][6] In 1886 Taiaroa hit the headlines after signing his father's name on a promissory note.

He was accidentally drowned in Otago Harbour on 31 December 1907[9] and his body was recovered at Karitane beach two weeks later.