Maori oral history maintains that the Maoris came to the islands of New Zealand in waka (canoes) from other parts of Polynesia. Of all the waka that visited the region, the ones carrying the Tainui, whose descendants were known as Ngaoho, have had the most lasting impact. These waka called in at many places before being hauled across the isthmus where Auckland is now situated to Manukau Harbour. Archaeological evidence of human settlement dates back some 800 years, with the earliest sites mainly located along coastlines and harbour mouths. The picture that emerges is one of a distinctly Polynesian society that depended on fishing, the gathering of shellfish and edible plants and (increasingly as the centuries passed) agriculture. Until the 17th century, when tribes from the north and south challenged the isthmus dwellers, things were relatively peaceful. However, by the time European settlers arrived in 1839, tribal warfare, disease and destruction of the area through hunting and forest clearance had depleted the Maori populations.

A pivotal date for Auckland is 1840. The year began with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, commonly seen as New Zealand's founding document. In Auckland, local chiefs gathered at Karaka Bay, Awhitu and Mangere to sign or put their marks to the document that promised protection of Maori land if the Maori recognised British sovereignty. In this year too, William Hobson, Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand, chose Auckland as the capital of the new colony, named for his naval commander George Eden (Lord Auckland). The city retained this distinction until 1865, when Wellington took over as capital.

During the township's early years, relations with the Maori seemed quite cordial. Maoris, in fact, supplied most of the fresh produce for the township; they traded widely and provided labour for public works and other projects. However, despite the treaty, the encroachment of European settlers on Maori land was continuous, leading to a series of skirmishes and conflicts. Barracks were built in Auckland and British troops called up. Most of the fighting took place in Waikato; some, however, occurred on the southern borders of the Auckland region, around Pukekohe and Clevedon. This had a devastating effect on local Maoris and many settlers also suffered heavy losses. Maoris themselves refer to the Land Wars of the 1840-60s as Te Riri Pakeha (White Man's Anger), and claim, as did some European observers of the day, that they were only defending their land and their culture. The result was massive confiscations of land, the ramifications of which are still being addressed today.