In 1881 gold was found in the Waiorongomai Valley by Hone Werahiko drawing many prospecting parties to the area. Mining soon began, with a large number of mines and associated industry (such as the huge Victoria Battery in the Karangahake Gorge) being built and operated in the area. Many remains from the mining industry remain today and can be found across the Kaimai Mamaku, particularly in the northern Kaimai area.

This new industry caused a huge demand for timber, with kauri first being taken from within the park around 1875. Much of the kauri timber was felled in locations with difficult access because of the rugged terrain. To transport the timber from these difficult locations, dams were constructed to build up a volume of water to which could then be released, floating the logs downstream. Dams were built on streams and rivers throughout the Kaimai Mamaku ngahere with remnants still intact to this day.