The iwi (Māori tribes) of the Ohope Beach area are Ngati Awa, Whakatohea, Upokorehe and Tuhoe. Ōhiwa has always been a main food resource for many tribes with an abundance of seafood to harvest.

There are over 90 pa sites identified in the area with Archaeologists suggesting they were constructed from 1500 to 1769, many pā sites are on headlands and islands, strategically placed for the best vantage point. Tauwhare Pa was a major pā overlooking the Ōhiwa Harbour. This was the site of the last confrontation between Ngati Awa and Whakatohea tribes. Today the Tauwhare Pa is accessible from Wainui Road, with a short walk to the site where you can experience sweeping views of Ohope and Ohiwa Harbour.