[1][2] The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "eating secretly" for Kaihu.

[5] In 1806 during the Musket Wars, battles were fought between Ngāti Whātua and Ngā Puhi over a pa near Kaihu, and a further raid occurred in 1825.

[7][8] John Whiteley described Kaihu as "the principal village of Kaipara" in 1834 and recommended it as a suitable place for a mission to be built.

[10] Thomas Spencer purchased 400 acres (160 ha) of land in Kaihu in September 1839.

[13] In the 1890s, with both the timber and gum-digging trades expanding, and a road built from Dargaville, the population of the town increased from 200 to 500.

Taita Marae and Kia Mahara Koutou meeting house are affiliated with the hapū of Ngāti Torehina.