1. 70 | Go Travel NZ · Summer 2016
WELLINGTON
ith 40km of unspoilt beaches
sheltered from prevailing westerly
winds by Kāpiti Island, to the
magnificent, wild landscape of the Tararua
Range and Forest Park, Kāpiti’s natural
beauty is breath-taking. Easily accessed by
car, train or air, and just 35 minutes’ drive
from Wellington, it is the perfect place for a
relaxing break.
I first found Kāpiti 10 years ago when I was
researching online where to live, having
W
Kāpiti – NZ's bird capital
There's plenty to do in Kāpiti, writes Jennie Gutry.
been granted New Zealand residency, along
with my young family. For a Londoner, being
able to live on the coast and get a train to
the capital city in less than an hour seemed
like paradise. And it really is. Kāpiti is so close
yet could be a million miles away from the
hustle and bustle of the capital city. With it’s
own airport, it’s only a one hour flight from
Auckland, too.
Here you will find some of the best tramps,
cycle trails and walks in the North Island,
boutique shopping, glorious gardens to visit,
artists’ studios and places to eat that rival the
big city restaurants. Add in the largest car
museum in the southern hemisphere, steam
trains, trams and aeroplanes, world-renown
golf course and adventure sports from land
sailing to quad biking, and you will have
some idea why Kāpiti is such a popular place
to visit.
For me though, the highlight has to be the
birds and there are three special places in

2. www.gotravelnewzealand.com | 71
Sir Peter Jackson went to Kāpiti
College and started his filmmaking
career there
Scenes in Lord of the Rings and
King Kong were filmed in Kāpiti
Some Kāpiti cheeses are still made
in Kāpiti
Many international actors, film
makers, and performing artists live
on the Kāpiti Coast
Māori ChiefTe Rauparaha used
Kāpiti Island as his base to attack
other tribes in the MusketWars of
the early 19th century
DID YOU KNOW?
Kāpiti you can get up close and personal with them.
Just 5km from the mainland, Kāpiti Island is New Zealand’s oldest
nature reserve (1897) and home to some of our rarest and most
endangered birds which you can see in their natural habitat. Here
you can experience the beauty of New Zealand as it was, before
man came, when the birds ruled the land.
The island was declared predator-free in 1998 and today, the island
is one of the most important sites for bird recovery. Over 60 species
of birds can be spotted here including kākā, hihi (stitchbird),
kōkako, takehē, pāteke (brown teal), weka and tīeke (saddleback).

3. 72 | Go Travel NZ · Summer 2016
Beware of the mischievous and clever kākā (mountain parrot),
which will swoop down and open the zips on your backpack with
its beak in search of food, and the flightless weka which seems to
work in cahoots with the kākā, swiping anything you leave on the
ground while the kākā is distracting you from above.
Day trips are available leaving from Paraparaumu Beach through
two operators, Kāpiti Explorer and Kāpiti Island Nature Tours and are
weather dependent. Overnight stays with guided kiwi spotting can
be arranged with Kāpiti Island Nature Tours.
Another amazing place to see the birds (and much more) which
is suitable for all including pushchair or wheelchair users, is Ngā
Manu Nature Reserve in Waikanae. If you are lucky, you can see New
Zealand’s rare brown kiwi in the nocturnal house, and meet the
native birds in the walk-through aviaries. In this beautiful natural
setting of lowland swamp forest and ponds, Ngā Manu one of the
few places you can see New Zealand’s native reptile, the tuatara,
and feed manaaki tuna (longfin eel). You can also see a huge range
of native flora in this 14 hectare reserve from native grasses, orchids
and silver ferns through to swamp maire, pukatea, kohekohe and
400-year-old kahikatea. Ngā Manu is open every day of the year
except Christmas Day 10am – 5pm.
My favourite Sunday stroll is along the Waikanae River and lagoons,
to the estuary along a path well used by walkers, pushchairs and
cyclists. I remember the first time I walked here I saw the flash of
blue of a kingfisher, a bird I had hoped to see for decades, and
never had in Europe. I was so excited. The kingfisher soon paled in
comparison though when I saw a pair of royal spoonbills on one
of the lagoons, followed closely by a dabchick, the New Zealand
grebe of which there are believed to be only 2000 in existence.
Everywhere I looked there seemed to be another exotic bird I had
never seen before.
Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve is home to over 77 species of
birds at some time during the year. ‘Birdman’ Mik Peryer, of Kāpiti
Bird Tours, knows them all and has watched generations of birds
thrive in the estuary. Mik runs regular tours here showcasing the
bird life along with entertaining tales of the area and its winged
inhabitants. For a different experience on your travels, a tour with
Mik will tick all the boxes.
Whether you visit Kāpiti Island, Ngā Manu or Waikanae Estuary,
the Kāpiti Coast offers a unique encounter with native birds, for an
unforgettable holiday experience in New Zealand. GTNZ

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