The name was given by the Harbour Board, on the suggestion of the future Prime Minister, John Ballance,[3] when it established the township on what were described as "barren sandhills" in 1882.

[4] The northern harbour breakwater extended 900 ft (270 m) by 1885.

The percentage of people born overseas was 7.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.1% had no religion, 28.1% were Christian, 6.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.5% were Buddhist and 2.4% had other religions.

[17] Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tupoho is a Māori language immersion primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[18] with a roll of 142.