[8] The Matakohe block was first settled by Pākehā in 1863, when members of the Albertland religious group arrived in New Zealand.

A weekly (initially monthly) ferry service brought mail, and a road was constructed to Paparoa.

[10] In 1881, the longest wharf in the Kaipara—1,450 feet (440 m) long—was built at Matakohe to accommodate the steamers.

[13] Matakohe held a race-day each February, in which were entries from as far as Kaiwaka and Waipu.

[14] In the 1890s, the population of Matakohe increased from 93 to 231, and the town was described as "the principal place in the Otamatea County".

By 1902 the town had two boarding houses, a library, stores and a goods shed, as well as the older church and school.

[16] The town's focus shifted from gum digging to dairy farming in the early 20th century.

Apple growing was also successful at first, but ceased by 1935 due to the Great Depression and poor management.

The results were 94.2% European (Pākehā); 13.5% Māori; and 1.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA).

[27] Over the years, it has amalgamated with Ararua, Hukatere, Oparakau and Parahi schools.