 It was the site of the home village of Ngāti Whātua, an important Māori iwi (tribe).The village was considered "a dreadful eyesore and potential disease centre" by the Auckland City Council, who relocated the inhabitants in 1952, prior to the Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Tour of 1952-53.Today, the reserve at Ōkahu Bay is a popular location for Aucklanders to relax and enjoy the waterfront.