[4] It encompasses Huriawa on the adjacent peninsula, a pā or fortified village, recalled in oral tradition for sieges in the late 17th or early 18th centuries.

That was known as Waikouaiti, but the name later became transferred to the present township of that name established by Johnny Jones as a farming settlement in 1840, on the north side of the estuary.

In 1838, Jones acquired the Karitane whaling station, primarily targeting southern rights and humpbacks, resulting in severe depletion of local populations for these species.

In 1867 George O'Brien painted a memorable view looking north from the Karitane waterfront, now in the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin.

The high levels of lead were first detected on 18 December 2020 but the alert was emailed to a Dunedin City Council staff member who was on holiday.

[6][7] In response, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield offered free blood tests to Karitane and Waikouaiti residents.

The Dunedin City Council also dispatched water tanks and staff to assist and reassure local residents.

"[8] On 9 February, the City Council distributed free fruits and vegetables to residents of Karitane, Waikouaiti, and Hawksbury due to concerns about eating crops irrigated with the contaminated water.

[9] On 11 February, the Dunedin City Council also confirmed that it would drain a raw water reservoir and replace 5 kilometres of old pipes in order to reassure local residents.

The name is echoed in many New Zealand child-related services and products: Truby King also worked at nearby Seacliff Lunatic Asylum.

Orpheus Beaumont, a woman from Karitane who entered and won the international Navy competition to invent the modern life jacket in 1918.