Karekare
The earliest inhabitants of the Karekare valley were people known as the Ngaoho who lived in the area for 300 years from the 13th century. In the late 17th century the Maori tribe of Te Kawerau a Maki settled in the area building a pa on the Watchman which was called Te Kaka Whakaara. They planted the valley with kumara, gathered shellfish from the headlands and fished from the rock ledges. In early 1825 the Ngapuhi tribe from the north of north, attacked Karekare besieging the pa. The warriors fought bravely, but had no defence against the muskets of the attacking tribe. The women, elders and children were sheltered in the large cave above the beach known as Wharengarahi and were smoked and burnt out, the attacker’s setting fire to manuka brush and lowering it from above. Karekare was given a new name after this episode, Mauaharanui – the place of the great wrongdoing. The only survivors of the carnage was a sole warrior who escaped by climbing down the north face of the cliff
