The historical account in this bill turns our gaze to the past. For generations, Ngāti Maru cultivated the fertile river flats and drew resources from the area's forests, rivers, and wetlands. Because of their inland location, Ngāti Maru had limited contact with Europeans during the 1840s and 1850s. Ngāti Maru were not involved in the land dealings which led to war in Taranaki in 1860, and were not directly involved in the subsequent fighting. Their involvement was limited to providing refuge to Wiremu Kīngi Te Rangitāke, in accordance with the requirements of whanaungatanga. However, when the Crown confiscated huge tracts of Taranaki to punish the rebels—so-called—in 1865, approximately half of the traditional lands of Ngāti Maru were included. Many of their main kāinga, urupā, and wāhi tapu were taken, and some have never been returned.