Our takiwā (traditional area) is located in northern Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke’s Bay). Our takiwā encompasses Keteketerau (the former outlet of Te Whanganui-a-Orotu) in the south, to the Waitaha River in the north and from the Maungaharuru Range in the west to the coast and beyond to Tangitū (the sea) in the east.

Our Hapū are tāngata whenua and have held, and continue to hold, ahi-kā-roa (long occupation) since the original inhabitants first settled the land.

Today, our Marae is located at Tangoio.

Some parts of the takiwā towards Te Whanganui-ā-Orotu in the south are shared with a closely related, neighbouring hapū based at Petane. Similarly, in the area bordering the Waikari River and northwards to the Waitaha Stream, the takiwā is shared among the descendants of Te Keu-o-te-rangi (see the kōrero about Ngāi Tahu).

The following whakatauākī (tribal proverb) of our Hapū describes the takiwā of our Hapū and refers to the abundance of resources within our takiwā:

The resources available on the coast at Tangitū when combined with those available in inland areas meant that our Hapū had nourishment all year without having to leave our tribal boundaries. Hence another Hapū whakatauākī,

Tohunga (high priests) from the Tākitimu waka instilled the mauri (life force) of birdlife on Maungaharuru and the mauri of fishlife along the coastline. These rich resources are taonga (treasures) to our Hapū.

The importance of various taonga, significant sites and places, are detailed in the Hapū values and statements of association from our Deed of Settlement.