During the late 19th and early 20th century both the road and railway line north passed through the town.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of eating the canoes for Kaiwaka.

[6] The reference to food and canoe may reflect the historic Mangapai portage route between Kaiwaka and Mangawhai linking the east coast with the Kaipara Harbour.

[9] In February 1825, during the Musket Wars, a major battle between Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Whātua at Te Ika-a-ranga-nui near Kaiwaka resulted in over 170 deaths.

[12] As the kauri timber and gum industries declined towards the end of the century, dairy farming became established.

[14] The Great North Road from Auckland to Whangārei passed through Kaiwaka, but was only a line on a map for much of the 19th century.

The cafe is decorated with artwork, coloured glass, and sculptures and has a distinct appearance.

[19][20] Kaiwaka's Te Pounga Marae and meeting house on the central peninsula of Kaipara Harbour are a traditional meeting place for Te Uri o Hau and Ngāti Whātua.

Pukekaroro is a distinctive 1.5-kilometre-diameter (0.93 mi), forest-covered volcanic dome of dacite dated at 17 million years old rising to a height of 301 metres (988 ft), 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) north of Kaiwaka on State Highway 1.

[36] The maunga (mountain) Pukekaroro is of great importance to Te Uri o Hau.

Pukekaroro was a key strategic site for Te Uri o Hau, as from the summit the Mangawhai Heads to the east and the Kaipara Harbour entrance to the west are both visible.

Traditionally, Te Uri o Hau used the timber that grew on the mountain to build waka renowned for their seaworthiness.

[37] During the battle known as Te Ika Ranganui in 1825, Karoro, a rangatira who had a pā site at the very top of the mountain, retrieved many Te Uri o Hau dead and wounded from the surrounding area and carried them up to the pā so they would not be found by the enemy.

Pukekaroro is of special spiritual significance to Te Uri o Hau because of the many wāhi tapu (sacred sites) on the mountain.