About the Kapiti Coast
The Kapiti District in located 50 km
north of New Zealand's Capital city, Wellington.
Bounded by the Tararua Ranges to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west,
the coastal
plain of the Kapiti Coast, from Paekakariki in the south to Otaki in the
north, encompasses
an environment that matches the best in New Zealand.
Today the area has the second fastest growth rate in New Zealand, and is
a pleasant
combination of light industry, holiday resort and dormitory suburb, the
climate is mild
and gentle waves break on attractive beaches. Kapiti's special attractions
include the world
class Southward vintage and veteran car museum, the dramatic Otaki River
Gorge and
magnificent beaches. Dominating all this is Kapiti's signature landmark,
Kapiti Island (5 km
off shore), home to an internationally famed nature reserve protecting
some of New
Zealand's, and the world's, most endangered birds.
Kapiti Coast, looking north from above Paekakariki
History
The peaceful bush land was first
inhabited in the 12th century by the descendants of the
Polynesian adventurer Whatonga. The full name of "Kapiti" means "the meeting
place
of the boundaries of the lands of Tara and Rangitane" and they were the
sons and heirs
to Whatonga. For 600 years their descendants the Muaupoko and Ngati Mamoe
lived
undisturbed on the coast.
Change came at the end of the 18th century when European whalers and sealers
began
to pillage the waters around New Zealand. Seven whaling stations were set
up on the three
small islands to the south east of Kapiti Island.
In 1817, the Maori Chief, Te Rauparaha visited the area and decides he
would like to trade
with the whalers. He returned to his people, the Ngati Toa, and bought
them, the
Te Atiawa and Raukawa back to occupy Kapiti Island by 1823. He and his
people then
gradually dominated the area, including the coastal land and built up trade
with the whalers
and ships seeking flax cargoes.
By 1840 the whaling trade had declined and many of the polyglot collection
of whalers had
settled on the coast; sometimes with Maori wives, and often as innkeepers.
In 1839 the H.M.S. Tory anchored off Kapiti Island with Col. William Wakefield
aboard.
After some bargaining a Deed of Purchase for the area was signed at Kena
Kena Pa
between Te Rauparaha, the local chiefs, and the New Zealand Land Company.
Also in 1840, the Rev. Octavius Hadfield of the Anglican Church arrived
on the Kapiti
Coast. He was the first missionary in the lower half of the North Island.
He set up schools
for Maori children and with the help of Te Rauparaha built two churches,
one at Kena Kena
and one at Otaki. Sadly the church at Otaki burnt down in 1995 and is to
be rebuilt. Both
were called "Rangiatea" which means "The abode of the Absolute" after
the island in
legendary Hawaiiki where their ancestors, the Tainui priests had worshipped.
Kapiti Island and Paraparaumu
After these fifty years of dramatic change, life settled down. In the second
half of the 19th
century european settlement increased and communication with Wellington
improved. In
1858 a coach route was opened to Wanganui and by 1860 Post Offices had
opened from
Pukerua Bay to Waikanae. Six years later just north of the township, the
"last spike" was
driven into the railway line connecting Wellington with Palmerston North.
To encourage development, major land grants were given to settlers such
as Capt.
Harry Lynch at Emerald Glen, William Howell at Raumati and Henry Hadfield
at Lindale.
In 1888 sub-divisions of land were offered for sale in the rapidly forming
Paraparaumu
town. By the turn of the century land purchase was brisk and the township
throve as
more farm blocks were occupied.
The main activities in the area were sheep and dairy farming, saw milling
in the Waikanae
valley, and flax milling. In 1911 a cheese and butter factory was opened
in Paraparaumu
which was a very valuable asset for local farmers. Market gardens and orchards
were
starting to supply the growing needs of the nearby capital, Wellington.
After the First
World War Paraparaumu continued growth as a holiday retreat for Wellingtonians.
In 1942-43 during the Second World War, a total of 32,000 U.S. Marines
were stationed at
McKays Crossing, 3 km south of Paraparaumu. The main purpose of these visitors
was to
train for marine landings, the long streches of sandy beach backed with
dunes was ideal for
this purpose. Queen Elizabeth II Park which is on the site of the camp
has a fine
photographic exhibit of this episode in local history.
Maori Place Names in the District
Kapiti: The meeting place of the boundaries of
the lands of Tara and Rangitane.
Paekakariki: Perch, or hill, of the parakeet.
Raumati: Summer.
Paraparaumu: Place where only fragments of
food were found in the oven.
Otaihanga: The place made by the tide.
Waikanae: Wai means water; kanae
means mullet.
Reikorangi: Gate, or breast, of heaven.
Te Horo: The landslide.
Otaki: The place of the staff; the place where
the staff was stuck in the ground by Hau,
pursuing his wife.
Population of the District (1996 Census)
Paekakariki, Raumati, Paraparaumu
22,097
Waikanae, Peka Peka
8,935
Otaki, Te Horo
7,552
38,584
All Information courtesy of the Paraparaumu Visitor Information Centre
