[4] Māori oral tradition holds the belief that the first person to visit Tōtaranui[clarification needed] was the legendary Polynesian explorer, Kupe.

[5] On 15 January 1770, Cook anchored HMS Endeavour in the cove, and used it as a base to replenish supplies of food, water and wood after his long Pacific voyage.

[7] While his ship was overhauled at anchor, Cook made a headquarters on the shore, ordering the planting of vegetable gardens and construction of an enclosure for pigs.

He and his men had cautious but friendly contact with the local Māori, trading knives and axes for fish and curios, many of which are now held by museums in St Petersburg and Kazan.

At the picnic plans for a memorial to Captain Cook were discussed and on 11 February 1913, 2,000 people gathered at the cove for the unveiling of the monument by the Governor Arthur Foljambe.