[2] The following settlements were included in its initial area: Cornwallis, Huia, Parau, Laingholm, Titirangi, Waiatarua, Oratia, Piha, Henderson Valley, Swanson, Rānui, Waitākere township, Taupaki, Kumeū, Hobsonville, Whenuapai, Takapuna, and Helensville.
[6] Early members were Thomas Henderson 1871–1874 (resigned),[7] Gustav von der Heyde 1874–1875 (unseated on petition),[8] John Sangster Macfarlane 1876–1879 (defeated),[9] Reader Wood 1879–1881 (retired),[10] William John Hurst 1881–1886 (died),[11] Richard Monk 1886–1890 (defeated),[12] and Jackson Palmer 1890–1893 (defeated).
[12] From 1894 to 1896 Waitemata was held by future Prime Minister William Massey, until he transferred to Franklin.
[12] The seat was then held by Ewen Alison from 1902 to 1908,[15] Leonard Phillips from 1908 to 1911,[16] and Alexander Harris from 1911 to 1935.
[17] In 1946 Henry Thorne Morton, who had held the seat from 1943, was defeated for North Shore.