The first train carrying passengers had been organised by the contractors, John Brogden and Sons, on Tuesday 30 June 1874 to run from Napier to Waitangi.

To alleviate overcrowding, the way and works depot and most other functions were moved to Pandora Point at the start of the Ahuriri Branch during a two-year programme across 1989–91.

[1] The former station and three-storey administrative block built in the late 1950s and early 1960s were demolished, making three hectares of land available for retail development.

A marshalling yard, freight terminal, locomotive depot, and other facilities were established at Pandora Point, with a triangle provided to turn trains and giving direct access north and south from the port branch.

The old main line north to Gisborne was realigned to the east to allow a new link road to the Tamatea area of Napier, and railways land was redeveloped as an industrial subdivision.