Ōwairaka / Mount Albert was the western-most hill-top pā of Waiohua and had extensive terraces and cultivations, although not as many as Maungakiekie or Maungawhau to the east.

As Ngāti Whātua had a much smaller population than the Waiohua and preferred to live near the coast, much of the inland area fell into disuse.

In December 1853, a survey was commissioned to build the route, however by January 1854 the proposed route was scrapped, due to opponents of the scheme highlighting that the allocated funds for the programme could only be spent on road construction, when land also needed to be purchased from early Mount Albert landowners Allan Kerr Taylor and George Bray.

By September 1864, the treasurer of the Auckland Province announced that the Whau Road Extension was surveyed, and due for construction.

[7] In October 1866, the Mt Albert District Highway Board was formed, to collect rates to administer and develop New North Road.