 "Hapupu" was given to the New Zealand government in 1979 by Barker Bros (Brothers AND Sisters) Ltd.It is one of only two national historic reserves in New Zealand (the other being the Cook Landing Site National Reserve at Kaiti, Gisborne).The historic reserve designation reflects the particular importance of Hapupu culturally and spiritually for the Moriori of "Rekohu"
(Chatham Islands).