The site features a number of marae and other stone structures and was once considered the central temple and religious center of Eastern Polynesia.

In 2017, the Taputapuatea area and the marae complex were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its political and religious significance and its testimony to traditional eastern Polynesian culture.

The original marae was dedicated to Ta'aroa (the supreme creator), although eventually the worship of 'Oro (the god of life and death) prevailed.

The white rock Te Papatea-o-Ru'ea on the nearby beach (currently part of marae Hauviri) was used to invest the chiefs of Ra'iatea with the red feather girdle maro 'ura.

[citation needed] This alliance included the Cook Islands, the Australs, Kapukapuakea in Hawaii, and Taputapuatea in New Zealand.

Priests, chiefs, and warriors from the other islands gathered on Raiatea periodically to maintain the alliance, participating in human sacrifices to 'Oro.

This seemed to be the culmination of a prophecy made by the wizard priest Vaita that a new people would arrive aboard a canoe without an outrigger and take possession of the islands.

It was for none of these individually but for something at the back of them all, some living spirit and divine courage that existed in ancient times of which Taputapu-atea was a mute symbol.