Two hundred million years ago, gigantic earthquakes moulded the Kapiti and Horowhenua landscape, creating a magical place. A ten kilometre long piece of rock split off from the Tararua Ranges, which link both districts, and became Kapiti Island. Five kilometres from the mainland in the Tasman Sea, the island now protects a collection of small settlements from the westerly gales.

Maori tradition tells of Kupe, the legendary explorer who reached New Zealand around 1,000 years ago, and is said to have created Kapiti and Mana Islands with a single blow of his mighty patu (club). Now, the iwis (tribes) of Te Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toa Rangatira and Muaupoko, along with all our communities, are the tangata whenua (people of the land) of this spectacular landscape and its warm climate.

To the south, urban areas are nestled between sand dunes and forest. To the north, rich soils make market gardening, horticulture and farming the mainstays of the economy.

The region has a population of more than 80,000 people.

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Paekakariki                                     Waikanae Beach                            Foxton Beach

Tide Times

Kapiti                                                  Horowhenua