hayy

Ngai Tai resided beneath the canopy of the Waitakere forest and exerted authority over territories extending from Kaipara, across to Mahurangi, and down to Takapuna. Wai-o-hua, a federation of tribes, held

From 1740 to 1750, Ngati Whatua-o-kaipara launched an invasion of the isthmus, resulting in the death of Kiwi Tamaki, the paramount chief of Wai-o-hua. The victorious Ngati Whatua-o-kaipara solidified their control over the isthmus by forming alliances through intermarriage with Nga Oho, who were descendants of Wai-o-hua.

Between 1600 and 1750, the tribes of Tamaki constructed rows of small houses encircling the volcano cones, establishing fortified settlements known as pa. Additionally, they cultivated approximately 2000 hectares of kumara gardens across the isthmus.

In 1750, the population on the isthmus experienced significant growth, expanding from a few tens to thousands of people. By this time, the isthmus had become the most densely populated area in New Zealand prior to the arrival of Europeans.

Māori initially settled in Tamaki Makarau around 1350, where they organized into tribes (iwi) such as Ngai Tai, Ngati Paoa, and Ngai Te Ata. Ngai Tai established themselves in Maraetai, Whitford, and Howick, while Ngai Te Ata settled south of the Manukau at Waiuku. Ngati Paoa, a Hauraki tribe, inhabited the coastal areas stretching from Whanganaroa to Thames.

In the early 18th century, the Ngati Paoa people began migrating into the Hauraki Gulf area by waka, reaching as far as Mahurangi.