Note.

Some early visitors were under the impression that Cook gave the name “Hicks Bay” to the whole of the recess between Matakaoa Point and the Awatere River. On that account, landings which they made adjacent to Te Araroa are described as landings at “Hicks Bay.” Most of these travellers are believed to have landed at Te Hekawa, just to the east of the Awatere River. Later, Te Hekawa became the site of a whaling station. The missionaries appear to have landed at Hicks Bay.