Marangatūhetaua and Tataramoa were both getting on in years when friction broke out between their people and another hapū that was interfering with the eel baskets of Ngāti Tū, and taking eels from Tūtira. They also went to the fishing grounds at Tangitū and seized the waka (canoes) of Ngāti Tū and Ngāi Tatara and drove the local people away in the process.

Marangatūhetaua sought the help of Te Ruruku, a Wairoa chief. Te Ruruku helped Ngāti Tū and Ngāi Tatara to repel the invaders and in return he was gifted land. Tribal archives record, “ko Waipātiki nā Marangatū i tuku ki a Te Ruruku” – Marangatūhetaua gifted land at Waipātiki to Te Ruruku. Included within this gift was the pā, Te Wharangi, located on the hill to the north of the Waipātiki River mouth. Therefore, Ngāi Te Ruruku gained their occupation rights within the takiwā through tuku whenua, and such rights were specific to those who maintained ahi-kā-roa, namely the descendants of Hemi Puna and Taraipine Tuaitu. Other pā associated with Ngāi Te Ruruku include Ngamoerangi, Whakaari and Te Puku-o-te-Wheke at Arapawanui.

Alongside Ngāti Tū and Ngāti Kurumōkihi, Te Ruruku and his descendants became responsible for the military stability of a considerable takiwā comprising the lands of Ngāti Tū, Ngāti Kurumōkihi and Ngāi Tahu. The reputation of these lands rested on its bounty as a food resource. It possessed the superior fishing grounds of Tangitū, the coveted eeling lakes at Tūtira and its tributaries, the tributaries of the Waikari River and the renowned bird-snaring grounds of Maungaharuru.