Те Атату: История и эволюция полуострова

The saltmarsh on the eastern side of the peninsula is an ecologically significant area for native plant life and bird species, and links to the Motu Manawa (Pollen Island) Marine Reserve to the south east. During pre European times, there were two Te Kawerau ā Maki kāinga at the mouth of Te Wai o Pareira / Henderson Creek on the peninsula, known as Ōrukuwai and Ōrangihina, named after ancestors Rukuwai and Rangihina. Rangihina was the wife of Te Au o Te Whenua, a prominent paramount chief of Te Kawerau ā Maki. Te Atatū Peninsula was known as Henderson Point during this period. In the 1880s, Te Atatū Peninsula was cleared of vegetation, and developed into farmland. The Henderson Brick and Tile Syndicate operated between 1903 and 1912 at end of Wharf Road, and produced distinctive bricks with backwards "S" design. The other brickworks on the peninsula were Hartshorn Brickworks (1895–1917) and the Auckland Brick and Tile Company on the Whau River (1884–1886). After the closure of the brickworks, the peninsula was primarily used as farmland, producing dairy, pigs, poultry and fruit from small orchards for the city of Auckland. During World War II, gun emplacements were installed on the eastern side of the peninsula, to protect the RNZAF Base Auckland at Hobsonville from attack.

During the 1940s, the Auckland Harbour Board proposed that a new port be constructed in the central Waitematā Harbour, to relieve pressure from the Port of Auckland. In the early 1950s under the Public Works Act, the board acquired Motumānawa / Pollen Island, and 162 hectares of eastern Te Atatū. During the same period, the construction of the Northwestern Motorway led to suburban development of the peninsula, beginning with the Ramlea Park Estate, which was constructed in the early 1950s on the former farm of John Thomas. The motorway split the peninsula into two areas: Te Atatū North (now known as Te Atatū Peninsula) and Te Atatū South. The population of the area boomed, as the area was seen as inexpensive and accessible to the rest of Auckland. The peninsula was split into two major areas: the west, which became suburban housing, and the east, which was land earmarked for industrial land and the development of the port. Between 1945 and 1960, Te Atatū was the second fastest growing area in Auckland. During this period, the area gained the nickname Nappy Valley, referring to the large number of young families who settled in the area. The new working class suburb was a popular place for Urban Māori, Pākehā and Pasifika families, however the area had poor infrastructure to serve the area's new inhabitants. Low and medium income housing continued to be built on the peninsula during the 1960s and 1970s. and was formally shut down by the Waitakere City Council in 1991. The name "Te Atatū Peninsula" was officially adopted by the New Zealand Geographic Board on 5 May 1994, and was formally adopted by the Waitakere Council in 1997. "Te Atatu North" is still commonly used, particularly by older generations.

Rutherford College, named after Ernest Rutherford, is a secondary (years 9–13) school with a roll of students. Te Atatū Intermediate School is for years 7–8, and has a roll of students. Peninsula Primary School, Matipo Primary School and Rutherford Primary School are contributing schools (years 1–6) with rolls of , and respectively. All schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of

Te Atatū Peninsula has several parks and reserves, from Taipari Strand on the western point (with a boat ramp, rowing club and canoe club) to the 85 hectare Harbour View Orangihina Park on the eastern point (with middens from early Maori occupation, World War II gun emplacements, specially created wetlands, and views over the Waitemata Harbour to Auckland city, the Harbour Bridge and Rangitoto Island). From Orangihina it is possible to walk around the coast via the Te Atatū Walkway to the northern tip of the peninsula, where the Taikata Sailing Club is located. There are also a number of inland parks, the largest of which is Te Atatū Peninsula Park, a large playing field surrounded by a cycleway.

Te Atatū is home to several sports clubs. Perhaps the most successful is the Te Atatu Roosters rugby league team who were national champions in 1988. They are based at Jack Colvin Park. Other teams who play in the Te Atatū area are the Te Atatū Tennis Club, Waitakere Cricket Club, Waitakere rugby union club, Waitemata Football Club, Te Atatū Football Club, West City Baseball Club, Te Atatū softball club, Waitemata Rowing Club, and Te Atatū Boating Club.

From 1876 until 1974, Te Atatū Peninsula was administered by the Waitemata County, a large rural county north and west of the city of Auckland. In 1974, Swanson became a part of the Waitemata City, an area which covered most of West Auckland, excluding the boroughs of Henderson, Glen Eden and New Lynn. With the 1989 local government reforms, the Waitemata City merged with these boroughs to form Waitakere City, and in November 2010, all cities and districts of the Auckland Region were amalgamated into a single body, governed by the Auckland Council. Te Atatū Peninsula is in the Henderson Massey local board area. The residents of Henderson Massey elect a local board, and two councillors from the Waitākere ward to sit on the Auckland Council.