The first people to occupy these lands on the southern coast (Catlins) were early Maori of the Kati Mamoe, Waitaha, Kai Tahu tribes, known collectively today as Ngai Tahu Whanui. They were a very mobile people traversing the coastline, as far south as Rakiura (Stewart Island) and inland to Central Otago in search of food, trade, cultural resources and social interaction.

This once forgotten coastline boasts some of the oldest Maori artefacts in history with descendants still living in this area today.  Maori legend has it that large hairy monsters inhabited these valleys of forest, their name was Maeroero, meaning wild man of the forest and were feared by all Maori. Great Chiefs of this southern coastline were Tuhawaiki, Taiaroa and Karetai - perhaps Tuhawaiki being the most colourful in his experiences, traversing all of Te Wai Pounamu. He based himself on Ruapuke Island in Foveaux Strait, where he led a series of expeditions and forced a peace between Ngai Tahu and Ngati-Toa from which Te Rauparaha descended.  His peers named him Bloody Jack for his amusing tongue of English, he was also noted for his honesty and fair dealings. The Maori history is very rich in the South Catlins as are the place names, for Maori place these names to remind them of who they are, and where they came from.