Prior to 1989, the town was classed as being in Taranaki, and there is still a feeling that the community of interest is most associated with New Plymouth, 90 km to the southwest.

[3] State Highway 3 passes through the town on its route from Te Kūiti to Waitara and, eventually, New Plymouth.

Mōkau also has a couple of outstanding surf breaks that, in the right conditions, can produce waves of up to 6 ft (1.8m).

The local marae, Te Kawau Papakainga Marae and Waiopapa meeting house, are affiliated with the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of Ngāti Rākei, Rōrā and Rungaterangi.

[7] Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a larger boundary, covering 19.82 km2 (7.65 sq mi).