 Huia was originally known as Te Huia as the area is thought to be named after a Māori chief, Te Huia, who stayed in the bay and was so taken by the area that he remained there.The English translation "The Huia" was used into the 1970s, but simply "Huia" has now become more commonplace.The majority of houses in Huia are located along Huia Road, which arcs around Huia Bay and heads west towards Little Huia.