Te Rae o te Karaka (Karaka Pā)

Within Tōtaranui (Queen Charlotte Sound), there were a number of small hamlets shared by Rangitāne, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō and Ngāi Tara tribes, which were related by marriage. One of those hamlets was Te Rae o te Karaka, or Karaka Pā, which was a predominantly Rangitāne pā at the entrance to Whatamongo Bay, but where Ngāti Apa people also peacefully resided.

Te Rae o te Karaka was strategically important – it was fortified and commanded a clear view to the north and west. At the time of the invasion of Tōtaranui by northern iwi, Te Rae o te Karaka is where many of the surviving Rangitāne and Ngāti Apa fled from the outer reaches of Tōtaranui.  However, this pā too, was to come under attack, with devastating consequences.