Rakapa Te Tira (also known as Rakapa Manawa/ Ngatatau/Rapana/Mitai) was a rangatira (chieftainess ) of Te Arawa who lived at Te Takinga marae at Mourea, on the eastern shores of Lake Rotorua. Originally of Otaki, Rakapa married into the Arawa tribe. Rakapas's family by marriage fought for the colonial government in the North Island Land Wars of the mid-19th century.

Charles Goldie painted Rakapa's portrait at least six times between 1910 and 1918. Another, but slightly smaller version is illustrated p. 215 C F Goldie: His Life & Painting, Alister Taylor & Jan Glen, 1979. This favoured subject bears traditional moko, pounamu/greenstone earrings and talisman tiki. Rakapa was the daughter of Rangi Topeora and Te Wehi-o-te rangi of Otaki. In the Wellington district Rangi- Topeora, of Ngati-Toa was known as a great poetess. She gained celebrity for her masterful character and for the number of songs she composed and sang, from affectionate addresses to virulent kai-oraora against her enemies.

Her daughter Rakapa of Otaki became the wife of the late Petera te Pukuatua of the Arawa. She inherited Topeora's poetic gifts and her waiata are favourite songs among the Rotorua elders.