Heading south to Whangara, you will see the remnants of the Tuparoa township once a bustling coastal town of 2,000 people until Ruatoria was established. You will be introduced to strategic pa sites hapu used to protect themselves and their resources. Taking in Whareponga, Waipiro Bay, Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay/Cooks Cove then arriving overhead at Whangara, home of Paikea, the Whale Rider of Ngāti Oneone. Returning to Ruatoria inland you will get a sense of the scale of the Raukumara Pae Maunga project, an initiative spearheaded by local DOC Ranger Graeme Atkins to restore the native flaura and fauna.