Rangitane, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Tau Ihu

The area was populated many years ago by Kurahaupo iwi (Ngai Tara, Ngati Rangitane, Mua-upoko, Ngati Apa, Ngati Tu-mata-kokiri, then Ngati Mamoe, Ngati Ira from Te Tai Rawhiti, and Ngai Tahu also passed through on their way to Te Waipounamu.

1820s-30s migrations and settlements included Te Ati Awa, Ngati Toarangatira, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Tama, Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Ruanui.

• Ka mate ka ora! : the spirit of Te Rauparaha, by Hēni Collins.
  Describes Te Rauparaha's life from the time of his birth being foretold, through conflict, migration, settlement on Kapiti and relations with European settlers. Te Rauparaha and his nephew Te Rangihaeata welcomed Europeans living among them in the 1820s and 1830s, but to retain their independence and authority, Ngati Toa eventually turned to military resistance. Source material in both English and te reo are drawn on, including input from by kaumatua Te Puoho Katene and other tribal members, and an epilogue by former Maori All Black Norm Hewitt. Maps show the location of significant sites, detailing their history and what can be seen there today.
• Rangitane : a tribal history , by J.M. McEwen. (1986, 2002)
  This major work traces the history of the Rangitāne tribe, now based around the Manawatu but with genealogical and political links extending throughout central New Zealand.
• Allwright, George. A brief introduction to the Maori colonisation of Manawatu, 1958
• Bagnall, A. G. Wairarapa : an historical excursion. Hedley's Bookshop, 1976.
• Buick, T. L. Old Manawatu or the wild days of the west. Wellington : Buick & Young, 1903, 1975.
• Downes, T. W. Early history of Rangitikei, and notes on the Ngati Apa tribe , 1910.
• Grant, Sidney. Waimarama, 1977.
• A History of Rangiotu, edited by Maren Dixon and Ngaire Watson, , Dunmore Press, 1983.
• McEwen, J. M. Migrations to and settlement of the Wellington area : a series of 4 lectures, , 1971.
• Wilson, J. G. The history of Hawkes Bay, 1976.

• The Kapiti Coast : Maori tribal history and place names of the Paekakariki-Otaki district , by Wakahuia Carkeek. (1978, 2004)
  This recounts the sequence of settlement from the first arrivals of the Tokomaru and Kurahaupo canoes to the European settlers' ships. Particular attention is given to the story of Te Rauparaha, who had his base on Kapiti Island.
• Adkin, Leslie. Horowhenua : its Maori place names and their topographic and historical background, 1948
• Dreaver, A. J. Horowhenua County and its people : a centennial history.
• Grover, Ray. Cork of War : Ngati Toa and the British mission : an historical narrative, Dunedin : John McIndoe, 1982.
• Kelly, Leslie G. Tainui : the story of Hoturoa and his descendants, Wellington : Polynesian Society, 1949.
• Kernot, Bernie. The meeting house in contemporary New Zealand, in, Art and artists of Oceania, Levin : Dunmore Press, 1983.
• McDonald, R. Te Hekenga : early days in Horowhenua,. Palmerston North : GH Bennett, 1929, (1979).
• Macmorran, Barbara. In view of Kapiti, 1977.
• Phillipps, William J. Carved Maori houses of western and northern areas of New Zealand, Wellington : Govt Printer, 1955.
• Ramsden, Eric. Rangiatea, , 1951.
• Simcox, F. S. Otaki : the town and the district, 1952.
• Taepa, Hohepa. The Rangiatea story, , 1966.
• Wilson, James G. Early Rangitikei,, Christchurch : Whitcombe & Tombs, 1914.
• Wilson, Ormond. From Hongi Hika to Hone Heke : a quarter century of upheaval, 1985.

• Adkin, G. Leslie. Horowhenua : its Maori place names and their topographic and historical background. Wellington : Dept of Internal Affairs, 1948.
• Buick, T. L. An old New Zealander : Te Rauparaha. Christchurch : Capper Press, 1976.
• Burns, Patricia. Te Rauparaha a new perspective. Wellington : Reed, 1980.
• Carkeek, W. C. The Kapiti Coast : Maori history and place-names. Wellington : AH & AW Reed, 1966.
• Ehrhardt, Penny. Te Whanganui-a-Tara : customary tenure 1750-1850. Wellington : Waitangi Tribunal Division, Dept of Justice, 1993.
• Grover, Ray. Cork of war : Ngati Toa and the British Mission : an historical narrative. Dunedin : McIndoe, 1982.
• Kelly, Leslie G. Tainui : the story of Hoturoa and his descendants. Wellington : Polynesian Society, 1949.
• MacLean, Chris. Waikanae : past and present. Waikanae : Whitcombe Press, 1988.
• Macmorran, Barbara. In view of Kapiti. Palmerston North : Dunmore, 1977.
• McDonald, R. A. Te Hekenga : early days in the Horowhenua. Palmerston North : G. H. Bennett, 1929.
• Ramsden, Eric. Rangiatea. 1951.
• Travers, W.T.L. Some chapters in the life and times of Te Rauparaha : Chief of Ngati Toa. Facsim ed. Christchurch : Kiwi Pub., 2000.
• Travers, W.T.L. The stirring times of Te Rauparaha and the sacking of Kaiapohia. 1906.
• White, John. Ancient history of the Maori : his mythology and traditions. Vol. 6. Tainui. (Refs. To Te Rauparaha)
• Wilson, James G. Early Rangitikei. Christchurch : Whitcombe & Tombs, 1914.
• Wilson, Ormond. From Hongi Hika to Hone Heke. Dunedin : McIndoe, 1985.

• Te Tau Ihu o te Waka : a history of Maori of Nelson and Marlborough., by H & J. Mitchell. (2004) 3 Vols. Huia Publishers.
  This valuable regional history encompasses myths and legents, and the interaction of tribes who have inhabited Te Tau Ihu a Te Waka a Maui and their interactions with each other. Drawn from oral histories, family records, diaries, official documents, reporters and observers. (drawn from the book cover)
• Allan, Ruth M. Nelson : a history of early settlement. 1965.
• Anderson, A. Te Puoho's last raid : the march from Golden Bay to Southland in 1836 and defeat at Tuturau. 1986.
• Brereton, C. B. Vanguard of the south : Nelson, New Zealand. 1952.
• Buick, T. Lindsay. Old Marlborough or the story of a province.
• Elvy, W. J. Kaikoura Coast : the history, traditions and Maori place names of Kaikoura. 1949.
• Elvy, W. J. Kei puta te Wairau : a history of Marlborough in Maori terms. 1957.
• Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand. Ottawa : Carlton University Press, 1987.
• Peart, J. D. Old Tasman Bay : story of the early Maori of the Nelson area. 1937.
• Sherrard, J. M. Kaikoura : a history of the district. Christchurch : Cadsonbury Publications, 1998.
• Two Maori stories from Marlborough. 1983.