Takapūwāhia

Takapūwāhia, also known as Porirua Pa, was originally built on one of the oldest settlements in the Porirua basin — Te Urukahika, a small hamlet located on the western shore of Porirua harbour in the lower North Island of New Zealand.

In the 1850s, Takapūwāhia had a population of over 250 Māori. As the crown acquired more iwi land for Pākehā settlement the wider iwi was invited to settle in Porirua by Ngāti Maunu, the senior hapū of Ngāti Toa. Families came from Pukerua Bay and Taupo Pa, now known as Plimmerton.

In 1889, the settlement moved from Te Urukahika (now called Elsdon) to its current location, and became the primary home to Ngāti Toa Rangatira. In 1910, a school was built next to the wharenui (meeting house).

The settlement includes Takapūwāhia Marae, a marae (tribal meeting ground) of Ngāti Toa Rangatira. The marae includes a wharenui, known as Toa Rangatira.