Rēnata Kawepō

Of Māori descent, he identified with the Ngāi Te Ūpokoiri and Ngāti Kahungunu iwi.

He was born in Taumata-o-he Pa, 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of what would become Hastings, in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

After a two month siege it became clear that the fortress was going to fall and he proposed that some of the defenders hand themselves over as hostages to secure safe passage for the rest.

When no one else volunteered, he went by himself, saying kia kawe au ki te pō ("let me deliver myself up to the night!

[2] A memorial for him and those who fought alongside him in battle was placed in the cemetery of St John's Church by the government; approved in 1928 and completed in 1929.