 The Māori that clashed with Abel Tasman's crew at Golden Bay in December 1642 were of Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri, and it is sometimes theorised that Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri may have interpreted the Dutch as .Another theory suggests that the was concerned about the intruders possibly waking the Ngārara Huarau in anchoring too close to a certain point.Some of Ngāi Tahu's more memorable ancestors included;

One battle that Kāti Māmoe won against Ngāi Tahu was at Lowther under Tutemakohu, whose retreated to the mist after their victory.