The archaeological research (PDF) I was looking at the other day reveals that around 150 years ago:

The 1887 electoral roll lists 69 voters in the Ruakākā area, 36 of whom were gum diggers. Gumdigging was one of the principal late nineteenth century and early twentieth century occupations in the area. The activity was focussed inland on areas between Marsden Point, One Tree Point and Ruakākā, a landscape of swamp and old consolidated sand dunes where great kauri forests had once grown.

More: The gum diggers | Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand.