Day Out Results

The island is one of New Zealand's most valuable nature reserves and has abundant birdlife. Kapiti Island also has an important human history. The stronghold of the Ngati Toa chief Te Rauparaha in the first half of the nineteenth century, the Island was also the site of early shore whaling stations in the early years of contact between the races. Traces of its fascinating past can be seen at several places on the Island. A visit, to climb the track to the highest point and experience the birdlife, is a splendid dayout. The number of people per day is limited to 50 and a permit is required . (Obtainable from DOC at $12 a head -
Department of Conservation,
Visitor Information Centre,
Government Buildings Historic Reserve,
Lambton Quay,
PO Box 5086,
Wellington.
Phone: +64 4 472 7356).
Two commercial launch services take visitors to Kapiti Island.

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• Kapiti Island

Sheltered by Kapiti Island - the beach is generally safe for swimming. At MacLean Park there is a childen's play area and here and to the south there are picnic tables. Picnic here and watch the sun set behind Kapiti Island.

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Both the North and South banks of the Waikanae River have walkways from SH1. The South bank walk is 4.6km and takes about an hour and a quarter finishing at the Otaihanga Domain.

On the north bank there are a range of places where you can access the track. At the end is the Waikanae estuary with its birdlife and the coast with views of Kapiti Island. The estuary and coast are about 1.1km (25min) beyond the footbridge which links the tracks at Otaihanga. See the Pdf map.

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wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz
Ph 04 3487770 Fax 04 3487773

Make Kapiti Island bookings here and get local and national information and bookings.

Open Mon–Fri: 9am–5.00pm Sat: 10 am–3pm

Conservation House (Whare Kaupapa Atawhai) is a refit of a cheap eighties boom cinema complex. The modifications have been guided by the wish to produce a "sustainable" design .This has resulted in conversion of cinema spaces into impressive atria enabling natural lighting and openable windows in the offices. Conservation House is the first office building in New Zealand to utilise a chilled beam system to control the indoor environment.

Architecture+ were the building designers. See "Architecture NZ" ,Sept/Oct 2007.

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Sheltered by Kapiti Island, Waikanae's flat sandy beach is ideal for families.

A cluster of café's near the beach access where where Rauparaha Rd meets Tutere Street includes "The Front Room", popular for brunch and coffee.

There are public toilets here.

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The Bistro has a great location looking out to Kapiti Island .
There have been ownership changes but most reviews of the food and service are favourable.

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In 1958 Fr Jack Dunn commissioned Dutch artist Martin Roestenberg to make this statue to mark the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old peasant in Lourdes.

A short walking track from Tongariro Street leads to the statue on the hill top. Through the trees which shelter the base of the statue there are views of Paraparaumu and Kapiti Island.

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