The early inhabitants largely used the wetlands for fishing. Ngāti Hako and Ngāti Pāoa lived in the area when early settlers arrived. The Musket Wars caused much disruption in the 1820s.[8]
Government gradually bought the wetlands, including Kaihere, until it controlled enough to enact the Hauraki Plains Act 1908.[9] In 1906 work started on a road to Ohinewai[10] and on cutting the bends in the Piako River below Kaihere Landing.[11] From 1908 stopbanks and drainage canals were built. By March 1915 38,994 acres (15,780 ha) had been sold to 294 farmers, mainly for dairying.[9]
Flax was milled at Kaihere from the 1890s to the 1940s.[9] Flax growing was set back by fires,[12] which were a problem as the peat dried out, following drainage.[13]
A 2018 plan will strengthen stopbanks and diversion ponds below Kaihere.[8]
Transport
A telemetry box on SH27, 1.4 km (0.87 mi) south of Kaihere[14] recorded average traffic up by 31% in the decade 2008 to 2017, from 3,965 to 5,182. 982 (19%) of those were heavy vehicles, mainly trucks.[15]
Until 1941 Northern Steamships linked Kaihere Landing with Auckland thrice weekly. Some of the landing is still visible.[16]
Education
Kaihere School is a 2-class rural primary school,[17][18] with a roll of 29 as of August 2024.[19][20]
The school has a fort, native bush walk, playing field, netball court and a pool. It is a Silver Enviroschool.[17]
War memorial pavilion
The 1929[21] Kaihere war memorial pavilion is listed as Category: A - Heritage Feature in Hauraki District Plan. It is a small timber gabled box cottage, in front of the 1917 Community Hall, with kauri bench seats under the veranda. It was moved from the Domain in Ohinewai Road[22] to the school in 2005,[23] was used by the Woman's Institute[22] and was intended as a library and sports pavilion. A new memorial was dedicated on 25 April 2006, with the moved First World War cairn, a new one for World War 2 and a settlers memorial wall.[23]