Explore Paekakariki
Welcome to Paekākāriki where there is always something to experience in our special coastal village. We have an immersive, historic, and family friendly museum on the station platform where you'll discover stories from our rich cultural heritage. Enjoy beautiful walks and bike rides on the beach or through Queen Elizabeth park, stroll around the history and arts trails, pop into one of our cafes or local bespoke shops and while you're here, visit the art gallery upstairs in the Holtom's Building - often you'll see the artists at work. Come out for the day and walk the Escarpment Track for sweeping views of the Kāpiti coastline and beyond - on a good day you'll see the South Island and looking north, the peak of Mt Taranaki. The walk has excellent signage providing a lot of interesting history. And check out what events are happening in the village (from concerts to galas to Shakespeare in the Park) - head to this page to find out more.
Only 42kms north of Wellington, take the train and you'll arrive on the doorstep to the Station Museum.
Open Saturday/Sunday and most Public Holidays: 11am-3pm
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Visit the Station Museum
The Paekākāriki Station Museum is full of historical knowledge and artifacts, with a rich archive of stories, displays, immersive information panels and exhibitions describing the history of Paekākāriki, its people as well as stories of the surrounding area. It's fitting that the museum sits within a heritage railway station, when back in 1993 a local community group ensured that the 1909 built railway station was saved from destruction.
There are 14 signs attached to various building or places of interest along this walk. It's a short distance around the village streets and if arriving by train, takes you from the Railway Station through the village to the beach, back up a small hill and along Wellington Road then back to the village.
Along the route you will find a number of posts with art works and poetry. Starting at the village centre, head up Beach Road, along the beachfront walkway, up and over The Sand Track, Cecil Road, Tilley Road through the Station car park, then back along the Station platform - where you'll find the Station Museum - and back to the village. This is a distance of approx 1.5 km.
About Paekākāriki
Paekakariki was named by the tohunga Haupipi-a-Nanaia (Hau) he was the great grandson of Kupe. Married to Wairaka from Poverty Bay who was the daughter of Toroa, Captain of the Mataatua waka. The story is told that his wife had been lured away from his whare by another and they fled down the coast. As Hau followed them he named various places because of incidents that occurred. At one place he was impressed by the abundance of the green birds he came across and so named the area Paekakariki – the Perching place of the Green Kakariki.
Latest News & Events
This blog is our place to pause, notice, and share. Here you’ll find stories, insights, and moments worth lingering over, capturing the character, creativity, and everyday magic of the places and people we love.
Matariki & Early Paekākāriki History Exhibition & Talks
