Tikanga Maori
Ngatiwai - the local Maori tribe or iwi and traditional guardian of this area - is in full support of the marine reserve surrounding Motu Hawere (Goat Island). Ngatiwai claim Manawhenua and Manamoana (customary rights) over this area and exercise Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) in the protection of Wahitapu (sacred place) and food gathering places traditionally handed down from ancestors as taonga tuku iho (treasures).
Pou at Goat Island Bay
Ngatiwai live along the mid east Taitokerau (Northland) shores from Tapeka (Bay of Islands) to Tawharanui, including Aotea (Great Barrier Island). They used to live on many islands of the gulf.
Motu Hawere is important to the history of the Northern Tribes and in particular Ngatiwai. They, along with many Taitokerau tribes, claim direct lines of descent through Ngaitahuhu from Manaia, the people who came from the legendary ancestral land of Hawaiki 52 generations ago. Motu Hawere was occupied by Ngaitahuhu following the landfall by the Whakatuwhenua canoe, captained by Tahuhunuiarangi. He was a great grandson of the first Manaia and claimed dominion of the district from Te Arai to Tawharanui, prior to moving to Otahuhu.
His people were numerous and became known as Ngaitahuhu. When Tahuhunuiarangi was killed in battle at Otahuhu, they brought his body back to Te Arai to be buried.