Specific historical themes relating to the region are:
- Exploring the land e.g. Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve
- Pathways through the land e.g. Manganuku Bridge
- Harvest and Exploitation of Marine Mammals - e.g. Whakaari
- Patterns of settlement - e.g. Otatara, Kuripapango
- Relationship to the natural environment - e.g. Mansons Hut
- Conflict and defence - e.g. Onepoto
For centuries Te Urewera has been home to the Tuhoe people or the 'Children of the Mist' in reference to the tradition that they are the offspring of Hine-puhoku-rangi - the celestial mist maiden. Maori heritage in the area is of great significance and Maori retain a powerful presence here. DOC manages, in association with Maori, a range of historic heritage including pa and taonga held in a museum at Aniwaniwa Visitors Centre. The concept of working with iwi is central to the conservancy's approach to managing historic heritage.
The traumatic period of the New Zealand wars is represented on conservation land by two redoubt and a sunken boat in Lake Waikaremoana.
European history has great significance within the conservancy. Captain Cook first made landfall in New Zealand at Poverty Bay in 1769 and the world known to Maori changed overnight. DOC manages the Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve and is currently working towards greater Maori community association with the site.
The settlement and enterprise of early colonisation is represented through the Tauranga and Manganuku Bridges in the Waioeka Gorge and remnants of settlement at Kuripapango.
DOC manages an unparalleled collection of historic huts in Hawke's Bay remaining from a period of extensive pastoral runs and early wild animal control activities.
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