The Northern Wairoa River is a historic river with a rich past. For early Maori it was used as a means of travel, and was difficult for invading parties to get to because it meant that they had to cross the dangerous Kaipara Harbour mouth which wrecked many waka, thus offering protection to those who lived alongside the mighty river.
When Europeans arrived in New Zealand the river became an important asset in the timber trade, allowing for Dargaville and the towns which sprung up alongside the river to grow.
The river turned brown due to erosion from forest clearing in the catchment area, and the invasive manchurian rice grass exploded alongside its banks which have hidden its ecological value and importance.