[2] The Armament Depot was expanded during the early years of the Second World War, and part of the site was taken over by the United States Navy in 1942.

The facility was primarily used to store munitions during the Second World War, and did not have the maintenance function which armament depots typically undertake.

[2] As of 2008, the Kauri Point Armament Depot was the main port used to receive bulk ammunition shipments for the New Zealand Defence Force.

At this time $NZ155 million worth of ammunition was stored at Kauri Point, with all but five of its 120 explosives storehouses having been built before or during the Second World War.

[5][6] In May 2024 the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha suffered minor damage to its bow when it collided with the wharf at Kauri Point Armament Depot.