Tapu is a coastal district of the Thames Coast and the Tapu River flows into the Firth of Thames. The reserve has great freedom camping and toilet facilities, and some of the best sunsets on the coast. The word Tapu can mean sacred, prohibited, restricted, set apart, forbidden, or under atua protection, depending upon the context.

The Tapu-Coroglen Road is an alternative connection west-east from the Firth of Thames to the Pacific Ocean, as it winds its way over the Coromandel Range past Ruapara Gardens and The Square Kauri before getting to Coroglen and Whitianga.

The area was originally named Waipatukahu after the river ‘where fine garments were washed on the river stones by a gentle beating process’. After the slaughter of many Ngāti Tamaterā by Ngāti Hei and Ngāti Te Rangi of Tauranga in approximately 1829, the area became tapu. 

One of the pā was Aorongi, poised seaward above the river. It belonged to Ngāti Tamaterā warrior chiefs Te Rohu and Ngākuku against whom the Tauranga tribes were seeking retribution. Ngākuku himself was partly of Ngāti Hei, having lived with them as one of their noted war leaders. One day the chiefs were out leading militant excursions against Tauranga pā, and the remaining men of the pā out fishing, so Aorangi was deserted except for the old men and women. It was laid to waste by a Tauranga War party, who quickly retreated, taking several women captives with them. 

It was Te Rohu and Ngākuku who led the pursuing Ngāti Tamaterā to destroy the Tauranga war party at the foot of Te Maumaupaki (Camel’s Back). One of the slain warriors was deemed a giant, measuring seven feet tall and two marker stones were erected from head to foot to show where he fell beside the Waipatukahu (Tapu) River.

Location
Tapu Domain is located 20km north of Thames township on the Thames Coastal Highway (SH25).