What is the setting of The Bone People by Keri Hulme?

This novel takes place in the Southern Islands of New Zealand. As the book was published in 1984, it can be assumed the time of the novel was circa 1980 although no actual dates were used in the novel. Most of the novel occurs in the beach town of Whangaroa, however Kerewin, Joe and Simon go on vacation in nearby Moerangi.