The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "meeting place of spirits" for Ōruawairua.

A visit by Captain James Cook left the island infested with introduced pests, which have since been eradicated through the use of helicopter poison drops, conducted by the Department of Conservation.

[5] During World War II, two gun emplacements were built on the island by soldiers and workmen from the Public Works Department.

This was to protect a planned American Navy anchorage in the Marlborough Sounds from a feared Japanese invasion.

In 2012, walking tracks were built, connecting the island's main campsite with the emplacements.