[2] The land adjacent to the stream form an alluvial flood zone, which was historically forested by tōtara, tītoki and west coast kōwhai.

[6] The stream is in the rohe of Te Kawerau ā Maki,[2] and was traditionally known as Waiwhauwhaupaku, a name which refers to the Pseudopanax arboreus (five-finger tree) which profusely grew in densely forested the area.

[7] The stream's valley was an important walking track, linking Wai Huruhuru Manawa (the south-western arm of Te Wai-o-Pareira / Henderson Creek) to Pukearuhe, the pā above Swanson, and Waitākere River vallery settlements along the northern Pukewhakataratara ridge, such as Te Henga / Bethells Beach.

[7] The river is named after William Swanson, who immigrated to New Zealand and settled in the area in 1852 to log kauri.

[2] The Swanson Stream was one of the earliest waterways dammed for kauri logging in West Auckland.