The Tukituki River flows down from the Ruahine Range, collecting a myriad of other rivers and streams along the way. Just west of Waipukurau is the confluence of the Māharakeke, Mākāretu, and Tukipō rivers. When these meet the Tukituki River, together they flow through a narrow gap between hills to enter the Waipukurau floodplain.

A stream connected Whatumā to Ōngātoro, a sister lake to the east of Whatumā. Ōngātoro has now been drained, but it returns when there are floods.

In past times, the Ruataniwha Plains were covered in podocarp forest. Rimu, kahikatea, mataī, tōtara, and tawa trees stretched upwards, while māhoe and tītoki formed an understory. The forests largely disappeared from the 1870s, as a result of deforestation schemes to gain more land for European farms and railways.

The tīpuna hunted kererū – and other large manu (birds). They caught kererū using spears and waka kererū (kererū feeding troughs), then used special preparations to cook them.

Ōtaia was a kōhanga kawau (cormorant nursery). The tīpuna (ancestors) recognised this as a place to let the young kawau grow.

The surrounding waterways and forests were part of the domain of this pā. The people of Pukekaihau Pā gathered food from these rich natural resources, then returned to the pā for security.

Te Whatunui, grandson of Ruakūhā, added to the pā. His children, including his son, Toroiwaho, great-grandson of Ruakūhā, lived at Pukekaihau Pā. In turn, the children of Toroiwaho occupied the pā.

Later, in the 1820s, conflicts with tribes from elsewhere during the Musket Wars caused the tīpuna to take refuge at Māhia and Manawatū. They returned to this area from the early 1840s, and Te Waipukurau Pā became the main pā (settlement) of this area. By 1844, the first Europeans had arrived. Anglican missionaries were amongst the earliest, and the tīpuna built a chapel on this pā.

Moana-i-Rokia Pā was a long, narrow fortified pā that ran along the ridge. It was occupied by Te Aomataura, child of Ruakūhā, and subsequent generations of descendants.

The tīpuna (ancestors) established Kaimanawa Pā as a taupahī (camping place) for use during food gathering seasons. Later, they cultivated gardens on this site. Eventually, out of frequent seasonal occupation, it became a small pā (settlement).

Ruatangaroa Pā was positioned near the main trails through this rohe (tribal area).

It was the first place the rangatira (chief) Te Kikiri o Te Rangi settled when he moved to this area during the 1700s. Te Kikiri o Te Rangi was the first born of the rangatira Rangikoianake and his wife Kaihou. After a period of conflict, the Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Toroiwaho people living here went north to Te Wheao Pā (near Te Hauke) and met with Rangikoianake. Rangikoianake agreed that they could bring Te Kikiri o Te Rangi back to be a rangatira for the people here. This was a way of reuniting the tribes.

Tīpuna (ancestors) took kai (food) from the forests nearby, as well as from the Tukituki River, which once flowed closer to here. They also gathered harakeke (New Zealand flax), which grew in abundance beside the river.

From the 1840s, Kaitoroa Pā developed into a more permanent settlement. Here, the tīpuna produced mass quantities of dressed harakeke to trade with Europeans, who found it ideal for making rope and ship rigging.

Horehore Pā was never conquered in battle. As well as the built fortifications, natural features of the landscape made this a strong defensive site. The pā was on the steepest peak of the range – sheer drops made it almost impossible to scale. The tīpuna hurled rocks and boulders down the hill at would-be attackers.

This pā was home to generations of important rangatira (chiefs). Among them was Te Kikiri o Te Rangi, who moved here in the 1700s, after first living at Ruatangaroa Pā. At the summit of Horehore Pā, he held a hui (meeting) with the rangatira of this rohe (tribal area). Te Kikiri o Te Rangi led a war party to avenge the death of his grandfather Te Rehunga and others killed by the Rangitāne people in past battles. Afterwards, he negotiated an agreement that brought peace to the people living on these lands.