There was once a Māori pā (fortified site) possibly known as Taurere (also the name of nearby Taylors Hill) but also referred to as Ohuirangi [1] at the top of the bay, towards its south end, approximately at 9 Peacock Street,[2] and many historical artefacts such as adzes and evidence of early habitation such as middens have been discovered.

[6] Captain David Rough, Auckland's first harbour master, described the event: "The Union Jack was hoisted and the Treaty of Waitangi spread out for signature on a table at which stood His Excellency, and behind him mounted police in their showy uniform.

The sun shone brightly, and the gathering of natives (Māori) clad in their mats, the canoes drawn up on the white sandy beach, the cutter at anchor, and the small group of Europeans beside the flag in front of the fine trees on the slope of the hills behind, formed a very picturesque and striking scene".

[3][8] In 1925 a 1.9-metre (6 ft 2 in) leopard that had escaped from the Auckland Zoo three weeks earlier was found dead in the Tamaki river by a fishing party in Karaka Bay.

[11] In 1953 a drinking fountain, designed by Tibor Donner, and seat was erected by the City Council just off the path to commemorate the Treaty signing.

[12] In July 1953, heavy rain led to a major slip which brought down a newly built house in Peacock St.[13] In 1997 the bay gained local and international notoriety as the home of a large white pig, named Piglet.

Piglet was born in the Hokianga, and came to Karaka Bay with a mini-bus of Vernacular Architecture students, having been won in a "basket auction" fundraiser for a Northland marae.

[14] Her owner, Tony Watkins, later wrote a children's book Piglet the Great of Karaka Bay based on the story.