Ngāti Huarere
Before they took over this area, it was inhabited by descendants of Mokoterea, with whom the Ngāti Huarere intermarried.[1] 12 generations later, the Ngāti Huarere began settling Te Tātua a Riukiuta.[2] Before the Marutūāhu confederation expanded into the Coromandel Peninsula, the Ngāti Huarere consisted four main hapu:[1] At one point, the Ngati Huarere were also described as having a fifth (minor?)This war resulted in the Moehau Range being abandoned by Ngāti Huarere, who emigrated to the north to unite with the Te Kapotai iwi (inhabiting the Hokianga and Bay of Island district).[5] Ngati Rauakatauri (a Ngāti Huarere hapu) continued to occupy parts of the Coromandel Peninsula.