Te Whakaraupō means "Harbour of the Raupo Reed".

It was named as such after the extensive growth of raupo reeds that was once found at the head of the harbour at Ohinetahi.

Whakaraupō was occupied by Waitaha and Ngāti Māmoe tribes before Ngāi Tahu secured it as their possession under the leadership of Te Rangi Whakaputa who had accompanied the chief Moki on the Ngāi Tahu heke (migration) to Waitaha (Canterbury).

There is a long history of Māori settlement at many of the bays of Whakaraupō including:

• Ohinehou (Lyttelton)
• Tapoa, Motukauati-iti and Motukauati-rahi (Magazine, Corsair and Cass Bays)
• Rāpaki
• Ohinetahi
• Purau

Whakaraupō has many significant landmarks and wahi tapu (sacred places).

Its hills and valleys were once covered in native bush and rang with the sound of bird life.

Due to land clearance for farming, housing and roading most of the indigenous vegetation has now disappeared and along with it the native bird populations.

Sources:

• Evison, Harry C. The Long Dispute: Māori Land Rights and European Colonisation in Southern New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, 1997.
• Tau, Te Maire, Anake Goodall, David Palmer & Rakiihia Tau. Te Whakatau Kaupapa: Ngāi Tahu Resource Management Strategy for the Canterbury Region, Aoraki Press, 1990.
• Beattie, H. (Herries), Māori Place-names of Canterbury, Cadsonbury Publications, 1995 (First Edition 1945).