Mahuta Tāwhiao I (c. 1855 – 9 November 1912) was the third Māori King, reigning from 1894 to 1912, and member of the New Zealand Legislative Council from 1903 to 1910.

During his childhood in the 1860s, New Zealand was embroiled in war and in his adolescence his family took refuge in the isolated King Country, so Mahuta received very little European education, spoke little English and was very much a traditionalist.

When his father died in August 1894, Mahuta was made Māori King, taking the throne on 15 September of that year.

Through a series of deals with colonial authorities, including joining the Legislative Council, Mahuta regained a little influence for his people, though the last years of his life were fraught with personal troubles.

[3] During his time on the Legislative Council, Mahuta delegated the kingship to his younger brother Te Wherowhero Tawhiao.