The marae is located at the heart of Unitec·s Mt Albert campus, part of the original settlement area of the Ngati Awa people who arrived on Te Waka Tapu O Mataatua.

When the Mataatua canoe made its way north from Whakatane with Puhi in command, it made a landfall near the Whau River. With him was his priestly sister Muriwai and niece Wairaka. Wairaka was already famous when she acted quickly to save the Mataatua canoe from rocks at the mouth of the Whakatane River. Before swimming out into the swirling waters she uttered the remark "Kia whakatane au i au." ['"Let me act like a man."] Puhi went on to establish his people in Te Taitokerau (Northland). while Wairaka's people stayed on in Te Pu o Wairaka, now known as Owairaka or Mt Albert, and intermarried with the people of Rakataura (Tainui) and Ohomairangi (Te Arawa).

Stories recount that when Wairaka became thirsty she stamped her foot on the ground, and fresh water gushed out of the ground.

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This spring became known as Te Wai Unuroa o Wairaka [' the long drink of Wairaka'], and is located right here on campus. The spring was highly valued for drinking and for the rituals of thanks giving and ceremonials. It offered relief to the sick, was used for healing, bathing and irrigation, and was a constant source of food.