At the southern end of Hahei Beach Te Pare Point Historic Reserve encompasses the remains of two prominent Ngāti Hei pā sites. A nearby spring and the remains of several midden suggest the site was a good location for both freshwater and shellfish.
The two pā offered protection to the Ngāti Hei people against frequent attacks from Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Tamatera and Ngāpuhi. However, many of these attacks led to considerable loss of life and enslavement.
Hereheretaura Pā
Hereheretaura Pā is perched on the tip of the headland and surrounded by steep cliffs. The cliffs, coupled with a ditch and bank on the landward side, created a very good defensive position. You can still see the remains of the ditch and bank, several terraces, storage pits, and the living platforms.
DOC has repaired the outer earthworks bank, and formed a staircase on to the pā to prevent damage to the midden deposits on the slopes below the terraces.
Hahei Pā
Hahei Pā is on the ridge above the track leading to Hereheretaura Pā. Steep cliffs on the south drop down to a bay, while on the north side seven terraces fan out around the main platform. Unlike Hereheretaura Pā defensive earthworks appear to have been minimal.