The local economy includes forestry, apple orchards and sheep and dairy farming.

The name for this community originated after a Māori boy with the Christian baptismal name Timothy (Tīmoti) carved his name into a tree[1] at the corner of what is now Ngatimoti school.

The Anglicans sent troops to World War I, while the Brethren adopted a semi-pacifist stance.

An ongoing characteristic of the community is the peaceful coexistence and respect for a wide variety of lifestyles and viewpoints, including conservative farmers, hippies and communes.

The town experienced major floods in 1877 and 1990, contributed to by extensive deforestation of the steep surrounding region.