He Ara Kotahi is a 9km shared pathway traversing dairy farms, pā sites, forestry, a military camp and an eel sanctuary. He Ara Kotahi sits on the same site as a village once known as Mokomoko – a large Rangitāne village that was a site of both harmony and conflict. Rangitāne occupied the village for 300 years with established gardens, horticulture and a trading port, before abandoning it after an attack on its people. The main Rangitāne force responsible for defending the village went south to tend to another matter, leaving women, children, elderly, and a small number of junior warriors to defend the people. But, against a well-trained invading force, defending the village was difficult. 

Upon the main force's return, and under the leadership of Chief Te Peeti Te Awe Awe, a full force hokowhitu (battalion) met the adversaries on the Kairanga battlefield (near Linton) to make their final stand. Rangitāne were victorious and are survived by their descendants residing in Papaioea (Palmerston North) today.