This is the place

The region around Te Paki is named Muriwhenua after an ancestor of Ngatikuri. Kaitiakitanga is held by Ngatikuri and Manawhenua by Ngatikuri, Te Aupouri and Ngai Takoto, who all trace descent from the Kurahaupo canoe.

In the 18th century the region was visited by Cook, du Clesmeur, Dentrecasteaux and King. Greater Maori / European contact occured in the last 18th century / early 19th century with visits from whalers, missionaries, and traders.

Decades of warfare led to the exodus of Ngatikuri and Te Aupouri in the late 1820s. The area was made tapu (sacred), and this was not lifted until about 1840. Samuel Yates acquired the Muriwhenua block in 1873 and ran a successful sheep and cattle station. A small whaling station was located in Tom Bowling Bay.

The Muriwhenua Block contains places of deep spiritual significance. These include Te Rerenga Wairua, Haumu, Waingunguru, Kurahaupo Rock and Kapowairua.