In 1847, at the age of twenty-two, Rahapa married Irish-born farmer Thomas Power. Known for his agricultural skills, Governor Grey requested the couple work together to introduce local Māori to European farming practices. During the British invasion of the Waikato in 1864 Rangiaowhia was besieged. Rahapa and Thomas’ house was not attacked but afterwards, while Power was in Auckland with three of their five children, it was looted by soldiers.

What is significant about this union is that it formed one of the first Māori-European families in the Waipā district. Descendants of Rahapa and Thomas are still alive, some of which reside in the Waipā district today.