[1] The Tāmaki Strait was visited by the Tainui migratory waka around the year 1300, and members of the crew settled around East Auckland and the Pōhutukawa Coast.

[2][3] In 1836, English Missionary William Thomas Fairburn brokered a land sale between Tāmaki Māori chiefs, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero and Turia of Ngāti Te Rau, covering the majority of modern-day South Auckland, East Auckland and the Pōhutukawa Coast.

[7] In 1847, Howick township was established as a defensive outpost for Auckland, by fencibles (retired British Army soldiers) and their families.

[8] Many of the ships transporting the fencibles arrived at Waipaparoa / Howick Beach, including the Minerva and Sir Robert Sale.

[9] Ships used to offload passengers directly onto the sandstone reef, and since the early colonial era, the beach developed a reputation as being dangerous, due to numerous shipwrecks and drownings.

[13] During World War II, an anti-tank trench was dug at the eastern end of the beach, which over time primarily used by children as a changing area.