The takewhenua (land rights) of the respective Ngati Pahauwera hapu is extremely complex. When Tureia came to the area some of his siblings and relatives had already settled amongst the Ngai Tauira, Ngai Tahu, Te Aitanga a Patea and Ngati Ira people on the northern side of the river. The Maori Land Court titles of the Mohaka 1 Block were awarded to those who linked their land claims to Tureia and his whanau and the descendants of his brother in law Paaka Te ahu. The interests of five hapu were eventually recognized in the Whareraurakau block whereas only the descendants of Ngati Purua were given rights in the Rotokakarunga block.

Some of the hapu that were dispossessed from their southern lands by the 1851 Crown transaction were put in lands of relatives on the northern side of the river. Further dispossession of hapu occurred under the Native Lands Settlement Act 1907. Occupation by Ngati Pahauwera on parts of the northern side of the river has been continuous and there is a greater knowledge about the land and the location of pa, kainga, mahinga kai, wahi tapu and other taonga. Many of the physical features of occupied sites have been modified or erased from the landscape due to modern cultivation machinery, stock impacts, erosion and natural flooding events. Prior to the signing of the Treaty the northern extent of the boundary of Kahu O Te Rangi was north of Waihua at Puke Karaka on the Poututu Block.