This site of significance was once the home of a striking and beautiful village formerly known as Tapu-i-houhou and Tutuparapara. Today it is referred to as the Ruahine reserve, alongside the Awa (river), Manawatū .  It was the home of both the Ngati Te Mihi and Ngati Rangiaranaki sub-tribes of Rangitāne.  In the 1870’s, there were a number of old punga whare and a meeting house called Manawakaitahi that stood amongst a magnificent tōtara tree grove, including an ancient stand of Kānuka.   

The area was a food store, plentiful and covered in traditional gardens and fruit trees, and served as a great fishing spot for eels in the old mouth of the Ruahine stream, which was once connected to the old lagoon, Te Ngutu.  All that remains of this once majestic village is the Ruahine reserve.