Pre-European settlement Tāmaki Māori have traditionally used the ranges for a wide range of resources. The traditional name is ("The Expansive Forest of Kohukohunui"), named after Kohukohunui, the highest peak of the ranges. was a name used to describe the wider country between the
Wairoa River valley and
Papakura. Development of the water supplies commenced in 1946, with the first of the four dams, Cossey's, completed with a capacity of 11.3 million cubic meters in 1956. Three
embankment dams were constructed in the area: Upper Mangatāwhiri (1965), Wairoa (1975) and Mangatangi (1977). A decision was made to reforest the ranges in the early 1960s, after the area had gradually reverted into farmland. The bulk water supply operation and the land passed to the newly formed
Auckland Regional Authority in 1964. The Authority completed the water supply development and continued the exotic afforestation on some of the north and western catchment land, started by the City Council, and its Water Department administered the land. This determines the local government administrative boundaries, but the ownership of the former Auckland Regional Council park land went to the Auckland Council and that of the water assets is unchanged with Watercare Services. People staying on the ranges had to be evacuated. In May 2018, parts of the park were closed to stop the spread of
Kauri dieback. Some of the tracks reopened in late 2020. In September and October 2018, the entire park was closed during a
1080 pest control programme. The programme was subject to an unsuccessful legal challenge. ==Recreation==