In November 2023, Hutt City Council decided to consult the New Zealand Geographic Board about changing the suburb's name to "Pito-one" - the area's original Māori name.

On 19 December 2024, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk used his statutory ministerial powers to set aside the Hutt Council's decision to rename the suburb, stating that "people feel strongly about the name of their home and each proposal received a range of submissions both for and against.

"[7] Petone is on flat land, nestled between the Hutt River to the north and east, hills on the west and Wellington Harbour to the south.

The land along the foreshore was uplifted by a metre or more in the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake, which improved drainage around the mouth of the Hutt River.

[8][9] The foreshore has a shallow sandy beach, formed by sediment from the Hutt River,[10] which is a popular family swimming spot.

During a severe storm on 20 December 1976, the Korokoro Stream caused flooding almost a metre deep in the industrial area of Petone around Cornish Street, and more than 40 people had to be rescued from factory roofs.

[12][13] There were two Maori pā (fortified settlements), belonging to Te Āti Awa, at Pito-one near the beach when the first European settlers arrived in the region.

[14][15] In 1850 the pā at Pito-one was described as "the largest and best fortified within the District of Wellington ... their cultivations of kumara and maize look well and the residents, in point of comfort and wealth, are better off than any of the Port Nicholson natives ... total population 136".

A merry brawling stream, called the Korokoro, or "throat", flows between [Pito-one pa] and the western hills.

It was covered with high forest to within a mile and a half of the beach, when swamps full of flax and a belt of sand hummocks intervened.

The first European settlers in large numbers arrived on 22 January 1840 on the ship Aurora,[18] which brought 25 married couples, 36 single people and 40 children.

The Aurora is commemorated in the Petone Settlers Museum, which has a sculpture shaped like the bow of the ship protruding from the front of the building.

Maori from the nearby Pito-one pā came to meet the new arrivals, with one passenger recording in his diary: "The first great object of attraction was the venerable old chief Te Puni, his interesting and beautiful wife ‘Victoria,’ and his handsome daughter Aena, the princess, together with sons and endless relatives and a pa full of natives who were delighted to greet us with ‘Kapai te Pakeha,’ Tena-koe, and other expressions of greeting.”[19] : 25 A beach settlement of small wooden houses and tents was established, which was initially called Britannia.

The borough's first coat of arms had images representing the Gear Meat Company, the woollen mills and the railway workshops, showing how important these businesses were to the local economy.

The suburb has since enjoyed renewed economic growth, using its early European heritage as a draw for tourists and gaining many cafes and shops.

The Historic Police Station is the JSP's office, and has information on Jackson Street and Petone for visitors and tourists.

[46] The Te Puna Wai Ora (Spring of Life) in Buick Street provides pure untreated artesian (underground pressured) water from taps.

The pouwhenua represents chief Honiana Te Puni and commemorates the arrival of the first European settlers at Petone.

[56] As of 2023 the reserve is being used as a work space by contractors building Te Ara Tupua, a cycleway connecting Petone and Wellington.

The original wharf was built to allow the Gear Meat Works to move its products quickly to Wellington for export.

The fair consists of various stalls selling products such as plants, artwork, jewellery, CDs & DVDs, cosmetics, food and drink, etc., and there are musicians, carnival rides, and displays from various organisations such as the New Zealand Fire Service.