Te Ahiwaru hails from the East Coast township of Te Araroa. From 2015 to 2016, Te Ahiwaru played in the St Kentigern’s 1st XV team as number 8.In 2016 he joined the Crusaders Academy - Nelson and was chosen in the NZ Maori U18 Development Team. An aggressive ball runner, Te Ahiwaru made his Mako debut in 2017.