[3] Approximately 7,000 years ago, the crater became a tidal lagoon due to rising sea levels.

[3] The lagoon, alongside Waitomokia, Crater Hill, Kohuora, Pukaki Lagoon and Robertson Hill, is one of the volcanic features collectively referred to as Nga Tapuwae a Mataoho ("The Sacred Footprints of Mataoho"), referring to the deity in Tāmaki Māori myths who was involved in their creation.

[1] Public demand for a better sewage treatment system eventually led to a land-based facility, and in 2003, the restoration of the area to a tidal lagoon was completed, with the sludge removed.

The scoria cone was rebuilt with an extra flat portion added on the west side as an artificial bird roost.

[6][7] The shores of the lagoon are restored with native bush, replacing pine forests.