The area was identified as the Hautapu Parish on a militia farm map published in 1864 during the Waikato War, named after the Hautapu Rapids which previously occupied the site of the current Karapiro Power Station.

In 1886, the factory was sold to new owners and was expanded to produce butter, cheese and bacon after running into problems with milk supplies.

The factory began specialising in cheese in 1915, and came under the ownership of the new national dairy co-operative in 1919.

[3][4] Jas Taylor was one of the first and most significant early settlers; several others followed as the area became more densely populated between the 1910s and 1930s.

[3][6] A 56.7-hectare (140-acre) industrial plant is being developed at Hautapu between 2019 and 2024, which is expected to employ 1150 jobs once completed.

[20] The school board was established in January 1876 and teacher Rev McLaurin began classes in March 1877.