Waikanae (pronounced Why-kah-nye) is a small town on New Zealand's Kapiti Coast. The name is a Māori word meaning "The waters of the yellow eyed mullet". Another settlement called Waikanae Beach exists near Gisborne on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand.

The town is about 60 kilometres north of Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, and is between the towns of Paraparaumu, eight kilometres to the southwest, and Otaki, 15 kilometres to the northeast.

Geography

Waikanae and its neighbouring settlement of Waikanae Beach serve as quiet places for families and older people. Many new cafes have opened up in Waikanae and Waikanae Beach to service both the locals and visitors to the beautiful Kapiti Coast. Just north of Waikanae is the small settlement of Peka Peka.

The town and surrounding area is most noted for its beautiful beach and river mouth, which is opposite the long form of Kapiti Island, which lies four kilometres offshore in the Tasman Sea. The waters between Waikanae Beach and Kapiti Island are a marine reserve, and whales are sometimes spotted on their migration routes through the narrow corridor. The beach itself is composed of black sand, but is still great for water sports and long walks. Inland, behind Waikanae, are the Tararua Ranges and the Akatarawa Valley, home to a popular conservation park, Staglands Wildlife Reserve. A road through the valley provides a link with the Hutt Valley via Reikorangi and Cloustonville.

History

The area has much historic and mythic meaning for the Māori people of New Zealand.

Transport

The town is located on State Highway 1 and the North Island Main Trunk Railway. The only direct commuter train to Wellington is the Capital Connection from Palmerston North which leaves for Wellington in the morning and returns in the evening on route to Palmerston North. However, there is a frequent bus service to Paraparaumu which connects with the regular train service to Wellington. On 8 May 2007, the Greater Wellington regional council approved an extension of the electrified Paraparaumu commuter service to Waikanae. The goal is to complete the extension by 2010, when new electric multiple units will enter service.

See also

• Waikanae River
• Waianae Hawaii

External links

• Regional website
• Paragraph on Waikanae c1897 from the Cyclopaedia of New Zealand
• Photo of Waikanae c1897 from the Cyclopaedia of New Zealand
• Photo of Maori Meeting House Waikanae c1897 from the Cyclopaedia of New Zealand

References

1. Adam Ray, "Rail Upgrade Gets Green Light", The Dominion Post, 9 May 2007.