The marae is the within the land catchment of the descendants of Māori tribes Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Uepohatu,[2][3] through the marriage of Hinetapora and Te Rangikaputua.

[4] Their descendants are connected to a number of subtribes (hapū): Uepohatu, Te Aitangā o Materoa, Hauiti, Ruataupare and Te Whānau o Umuariki.

The unique carving and tukutuku adorned dining hall (wharekai) named Rutu Tawhiorangi, was built and opened in the late 1930s.

The land under the marae was made a Māori Reserve under the Native Purposes Act 1937[5] (later renamed the Maori Purposes Act 1937[6]) on 29 October 1947.

The marae was the site of an iconic Herbs album launch party in 1987.