European settlement of the area began in 1860, when the Government bought land from local Māori. A small number of settlers arrived from England and Scotland, and a Methodist church was built in 1872. A monthly boat service operated between Kaukapakapa and the northern Kaipara from 1863. The population of the area was 311 in 1881. The town developed split between the northern and southern banks of the river. Although roads connected the town to Riverhead, Tauhoa and Helensville by the early 1880s, they were of poor quality, and most access was by the river. The roads were still mostly unmetalled in 1920. The kauritimber industry was responsible for developing the area, with logs floated down the Kaukapakapa River to the Kaipara Harbour, where they were loaded onto ships for export. Gum-digging and flax processing were also significant early industries. A shipyard operated from 1864 and into the 1880s. The North Auckland railway line reached Kaukapakapa in 1889. A creamery was built next to the railway station to service the developing dairy industry. Genesis Energy has proposed to build a gas-fired power station near Kaukapakapa. The proposal is opposed by the Kaukapakapa Residents & Ratepayers Association and Kaipara Forest and Bird.
Demographics
The statistical area of Te Kuru, which at 81 square kilometres is larger than the town of Kaukapakapa, had a population of 2,484 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 474 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 789 people since the 2006 census. There were 792 households. There were 1,233 males and 1,251 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 38.8 years, with 561 people aged under 15 years, 414 aged 15 to 29, 1,254 aged 30 to 64, and 255 aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 93.4% European/Pākehā, 11.2% Māori, 2.4% Pacific peoples, 2.7% Asian, and 2.3% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 21.1%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 61.2% had no religion, 27.7% were Christian, and 3.4% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 348 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 255 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $42,400. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,122 people were employed full-time, 327 were part-time, and 45 were unemployed.
Kaukapakapa School is a coeducational full primary school, with a roll of students as of The school celebrated its 125th reunion in 1998. Kaukapakapa also has two early learning institutions: The Kaukapakapa Pre-School, located near the primary school, and a Playcentre located in Macky Road.
Publications
Kaukapakapa's only local publication dedicated to Kaukapakapa news and events is the Kaukapakapa Kourier, a free newsletter delivered to local residents by post and also available online in PDF format.
