There are several prominent rangatira with Te Whiu ancestry who played pivotal roles in the early days of colonial settlement. Makoare Taonui and his son Aperahama Taonui were prominent Ngāpuhi rangatira, and Aperahama was a highly-respected tohunga of his time. They descend from Turou through the line of Whaepapa. Makoare Taonui was the 49th signature on He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (Declaration of Independence) signed in 1835 along with Wiremu Taunui. A descendent of Tirarau also signed; Te Tirarau Kūkupa, who was signatory 40. 

Five years later, Taonui along with his son would both sign Te Tiriti o Waitangi on Feburary 12th, 1840. Makoare is signature 123, and Aperahama is signature 125. Signatory 126 was Kaitoke Waata Muriwai, Taonui's nephew. Other prominent Te Whiu rangatira who signed Te Tiriti include Pāngari (signature 91) and Te Tirarau Kūkupa (signature 2) who both descend from Tirarau. Wiremu Hau (signature 13) who descended from Punga, and Rāwiri Mutu (signature 113) also signed. 

The H.S Aparima transported some divisions of the 28th Māori Battalion to Europe for the war campaign. Whaepapa descendant Tu Eruera of the 7th Māori Contingent boarded this warship for England on the 19th August, 1916. He was awarded the British War and Victory medal for his valor during battle.