Tauātoru signed the Bay of Plenty (Fedarb) sheet of the Treaty of Waitangi at Ōpōtiki on 27 or 28 May 1840. He was a rangatira (chief) from the Ngāi Tamahaua and Ngāti Ngahere hapū (subtribes) of Te Whakatōhea.
The parents of Tauātoro were Kakari and Hitia [or Whitia]; his son was Raharuha (a name that comes from the Bible), and Raharuha had Te Ranapia Waihaku. A descendant records that Tauātoru was a humble man who was interested in Christianity and became a Catholic – this is shown by the cross next to his signature on Te Tiriti. Tauātoro lived at Ōrerehuruhuru next to what is now the Ōpōtiki golf course.
In January 1840 Tautoru and others sold land at Ōpōtiki to the Church Missionary Society. They sold the Pākihi block to the missionaries George Brown, James Stack and John Wilson for 600 pounds of tobacco, 400 dollars, 100 blankets, 100 plane irons, 100 axes, 100 adzes, 100 hoes, 200 fish hooks, 100 pairs of scissors, 100 knives, 100 shirts, 100 gowns, 12 spades, 100 pounds of soap, 24 frocks, 25 caps, 12 woollen shirts and 24 pairs of trousers. On the next day, 28 January, a sale document was signed for the Ngaio block. This land was sold to Wilson for three casks of tobacco, 300 dollars, 100 blankets, 100 coats, 100 axes, 100 adzes, 100 hoes, 200 fish hooks, 100 pairs of scissors, 100 knives, 100 shirts, 100 gowns, 12 spades, 100 pounds of soap, 24 frocks, 15 caps, 12 striped shirts, 24 pairs of trousers, 10 iron pots, 80 children’s dresses and one cow.