The wider
Kaipara River area has been settled by
Māori since at least 1400AD. Early tribal identities of the people who lived here included
Ngā Oho, Ngāti Awa,
Te Kawerau ā Maki and
Ngāti Whātua. By the early 18th century, the major power in the area had become
Te Taoū, a distinct
hapū of Ngāti Whātua. The
Waimauku Dairy Factory was established in 1909, specialising in collecting cream from the surrounding areas. In October 1915, a new butter factory was officially opened at Waimauku by the Waitemata Co-operative Dairy Company. A later and larger dairy factory opened in November 1924, serving a wide farming catchment and increasing local butter production capacity. By 1951 it was converted into a bulk receiving station for cream, and closed in 1956. In 1921, St Martin's Church was established at Waimauku. The former dairy factory site was later repurposed and is now operated as a wedding and events venue under the name Settlers Country Manor. The property has been used for cultural and public events, including staged performances such as the operatic production
Mansfield Park in 2024. The site has also been used as a filming location. During the Auckland-based filming of
A Minecraft Movie, parts of the former factory buildings and grounds were used as production locations. Parts of the former dairy factory complex are included in Auckland Council’s Schedule of Historic Heritage Places under the Auckland Unitary Plan. ==Demographics==