Te Wharau Houkamau was born on 2 May 1916, in Porangahau, Central Hawke's Bay, Hawke's Bay, the son of Huna Pore Teua Houkamau.
He married Morehu Te Amaru Tutaki on 23 March 1944, in Porangahau, Central Hawke's Bay, Hawke's Bay,
They were the parents of at least 1 son and 1 daughter.
He died on 16 December 1978, in Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, at the age of 62, and was buried in Porangahau, Central Hawke's Bay, Hawke's Bay
He is buried in the Kaiwhitikitiki Urupā