Waikanae
Medium urban area
Kapiti Island seen from Waikanae Beach
Kapiti Island seen from Waikanae Beach
Coordinates: 40°52′30″S 175°03′50″E / 40.87500°S 175.06389°E / -40.87500; 175.06389
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWellington Region
Territorial authorityKāpiti Coast District
WardWaikanae Ward
CommunityWaikanae Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityKāpiti Coast District Council
 • Regional councilGreater Wellington Regional Council
 • Kāpiti Coast MayorJanet Holborow
 • Ōtaki MPTim Costley
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer
Area
[1]
 • Total29.61 km2 (11.43 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total13,150
 • Density440/km2 (1,200/sq mi)

Waikanae (English: /ˌwaɪkəˈnaɪ/, Māori pronunciation: [ˈwaikaˈnaɛ]) is a town on the Kāpiti Coast, 60 kilometres north of the Wellington CBD. The name is a Māori word meaning "waters" (wai) "of the grey mullet".[3]

The town lies between Paraparaumu, eight kilometres to the southwest, and Ōtaki, 15 kilometres to the northeast. It contains Waikanae railway station, the northernmost station to which the Metlink trains from Wellington railway station in Central Wellington go.

(There is another beach named "Waikanae Beach" in the town of Gisborne, on the other side of the North Island.)

Geography

Waikanae lies in a setting of open farmland and forest between the Tasman Sea and the rugged Tararua Range. Together with its neighbouring settlement of Waikanae Beach, the town comprises a quiet locale, popular with families and retirees. Just north of Waikanae is the small community of Peka Peka.

The area surrounding the town is notable for its 5-kilometre long beach and its wide river mouth opposite Kapiti Island, which lies four kilometres offshore in the Tasman Sea. The Kapiti Island Nature Reserve includes the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve. Te Araroa (the country's long-distance walking trail) leads through Waikanae.

The waters between Waikanae Beach and Kapiti Island comprise the Kapiti Marine Reserve, with whales and Hector's dolphins sometimes spotted on their migration routes through the narrow corridor. Inland, behind Waikanae, are the bush clad Hemi Matenga Reserve, the Tararua Ranges and the Akatarawa Valley, home to a conservation park, Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Cafe. A road through the valley over the Akatarawa Saddle provides a link with the Hutt Valley via Reikorangi and Cloustonville. The headwaters of the Waikanae River form where a number of streams converge in the inland Reikorangi Basin. From here the river runs through a gap in the foothills, across the coastal plain and sand dunes to the sea.

Waikanae River

Prior to human settlement the Waikanae coastal plain comprised wetlands divided by a complex pattern of natural waterways and kohekohe wooded regions. Wetlands remain a diminishing feature of the region but the development of numerous private gardens has led to Waikanae having one of the highest levels of water consumption per head of population in New Zealand. The community draws its water from the single source of the Waikanae River, and seasonal shortages during the warmer months of the year constitute a growing problem for the area.[4]

Climate

The Tararua Range provides shelter for Waikanae from the south and east, as does Kapiti Island from the west. The area accordingly escapes the heavy winds and storms of the neighbouring Cook Strait region. The shallow depths of Waikanae Beach produces a higher water temperature than the steeper coastlines of Wellington harbour to the south. The prevailing wind blows from the north-west, which drives rain-clouds inland to the ranges and results in high rainfalls during the winter and spring.[5]

Flora and fauna

Birdlife

Waikanae Beach is populated by terns, seagulls, oystercatchers, and stilts. Inland wetlands provide refuge for pūkeko, crake and New Zealand dabchicks. White fronted herons, tūī and shags range across the coastal plain.[6] The ready availability of both birdlife and seafood encouraged early Māori settlement of the area. Introduced species such as ducks and black swans have also flourished over the last century.

Hemi Matenga Memorial Scenic Reserve

Waikanae is backed by the heavily forested 330-hectare Hemi Matenga Reserve covering a range overlooking the town itself. Rising to 514 metres above sea level, the forest comprises one of the most extensive areas of kohekohe woodland left in New Zealand. The reserve was named after its former owner; Hemi Matenga Waipunahau of the Ngāti Toa,[7] following his death in 1912. It is traversed by several walking tracks[8] and forms an extension of the Tararua Range.

Waikanae seen from Hemi Matenga Reserve.

History and culture

Archaeological and ethnographical research suggests that Waikanae may have been first inhabited by the Waitaha moa-hunters as early as a thousand years ago.[9] Successive waves of settlement by the Ngāti Apa, Rangitane and Muaūpoko Iwi (tribal groups) ensured that the area continues to have major historic and mythological significance for the Māori people of New Zealand. See Kāpiti Coast for greater detail.

In 1824 Waikanae Beach was the embarkation point for a force of 2,000 to 3,000 fighters from coastal Iwi, who assembled with the intention of taking Kapiti Island from the Ngāti Toa led by Te Rauparaha. Crossing the strait in a fleet of waka canoes under shelter of darkness, the attackers were met and destroyed as they disembarked at the northern end of Kapiti Island.[10]

The tangi for Minister of the Crown Wi Parata was held at Waikanae Marae in 1906

Marae

Whakarongotai Marae is located in Waikanae. It is a marae (social and cultural meeting ground) for Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai and includes the Whakarongotai or Puku Mahi Tamariki wharenui (meeting house).[11][12]

Demographics

Waikanae is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a medium urban area and covers 29.61 km2 (11.43 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 13,150 as of June 2023, with a population density of 443.96 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200610,563—    
201311,106+0.72%
201812,711+2.74%
Source: [13]

Waikanae had a population of 12,711 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,605 people (14.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,148 people (20.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 5,460 households, comprising 5,853 males and 6,858 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.85 males per female, with 1,881 people (14.8%) aged under 15 years, 1,344 (10.6%) aged 15 to 29, 4,845 (38.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 4,632 (36.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.9% European/Pākehā, 9.2% Māori, 2.1% Pasifika, 4.5% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 24.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 48.8% had no religion, 41.3% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 2,766 (25.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,635 (15.1%) people had no formal qualifications. 1,938 people (17.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 4,011 (37.0%) people were employed full-time, 1,482 (13.7%) were part-time, and 279 (2.6%) were unemployed.[13]

Individual statistical areas
NameArea
(km2)		PopulationDensity
(per km2)		HouseholdsMedian ageMedian
income
Waikanae Beach4.373,2497431,38649.6 years$36,200[14]
Peka Peka10.026126124652.1 years$42,500[15]
Waikanae Park7.362,08528390058.0 years$30,300[16]
Waikanae West4.674,3749371,96861.8 years$26,600[17]
Waikanae East3.192,39175096051.2 years$30,200[18]
New Zealand37.4 years$31,800

It was forecast in 2012 that Waikanae's relative abundance of unoccupied land and recent or pending improvements in transport links will lead to a population increase to about 15,000 by 2032.[19]

Facilities

The central Waikanae Village includes two supermarkets, the Mahara Art Gallery, three bank branches,[20] a health centre, three pharmacies, craft and art shops, a post shop, a war memorial hall, a smaller community hall, the Kapiti Coast Museum, a church, a public library, a cinema and a number of other shops, restaurants, and businesses. Nearby are the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, two primary schools (see below), a golf course, bowling club, Waikanae Park rugby and cricket ground, and several retirement centres.

Mahara Gallery is an art gallery opened in 1996.[21][22]

Housing

Waikanae is the largest of the 14 residential suburbs which lie within the Territorial Authority of the Kāpiti Coast, in terms of the total number of residential properties. The greater portion of Waikanae's houses were constructed during the period 1970–1979.[23]

Transport

Stansells' flax mill, Waikanae c1900. The mill relied on horse-power to bring in the flax, and the railway to send it to market

The town is located on State Highway 1 and the North Island Main Trunk railway. In February 2017 an expressway diversion was opened[24] to enable State Highway 1 to bypass the centre of the township.

The town is the current northern terminus of the Kapiti Line for the Metlink commuter rail service. This service has operated since February 2011, into the newly rebuilt Waikanae Railway Station. The new Matangi electric multiple units entered service at the same time in 2011. Prior to that, the only direct commuter train to Wellington was the Capital Connection from Palmerston North which still leaves for Wellington in the morning and returns in the evening en route to Palmerston North.

Local bus services link Waikanae Village with Waikanae Beach and Ōtaki.

Local media

A radio station Beach FM 106.3 broadcasts from Waikanae Village, covering the Kāpiti and Horowhenua districts. Two local newspapers provide coverage of the Kāpiti region.

Education

Waikanae School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[25][26] with a roll of 540 as of April 2023.[27]

Kapakapanui School is also a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[28][29] with a roll of 539.[30]

Notable people

  • Erunui Matioro Te Tupe-o-Tu: retired to Waikanae after a colourful life as a tribal leader, warrior, whaler, slaver, and sealer; during the early colonial period from the 1820s to the 1850s.[31]
  • Jim Bolger, former New Zealand Prime Minister, currently lives in Waikanae.[32]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  2. ↑ "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. ↑ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  4. ↑ Chris MacLean and Joan Maclean, page 121 "Waikanae", ISBN 978-0-473-16597-0
  5. ↑ Chris Maclean and Joan Maclean, pages 145-146 "Waikanae", ISBN 978-0-473-16597-0
  6. ↑ Chris Maclean and Joan Maclean, page 217, "Waikanae", ISBN 978-0-473-16597-0
  7. ↑ N.Z. Department of Conservation publication "Hemi Matenga Memorial Park Scenic Reserve"
  8. ↑ Ombler, Kathy (2001). Walking Wellington. pp. 153–157. ISBN 1-87724-647-6.
  9. ↑ Chris Maclean and Joan Maclean, page 18, "Waikanae", ISBN 978-0-473-16597-0
  10. ↑ Chris Maclean, p.113, "Kapiti", ISBN 0-473-06166-X
  11. ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  12. ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  13. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waikanae Beach (236800), Peka Peka (236900), Waikanae Park (237200), Waikanae West (237600) and Waikanae East (238100).
  14. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Waikanae Beach
  15. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Peka Peka
  16. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Waikanae Park
  17. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Waikanae West
  18. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Waikanae East
  19. ↑ The Dominion Post, June 9, 2012
  20. ↑ "Grey backlash to proposed Westpac closure in Waikanae where median age is 62 | Stuff.co.nz". 25 August 2016.
  21. ↑ "OneRoof". Archived from the original on 14 June 2020.
  22. ↑ Haxton, David (16 February 2017). "Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway north of Wellington opens". nzherald.co.nz (via Kapiti News). Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  23. ↑ "Waikanae School Official School Website". waikanae.school.nz.
  24. ↑ "Waikanae School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  25. ↑ "Waikanae School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  26. ↑ "Kapanui School Official School Website". kapanui.school.nz.
  27. ↑ "Kapanui School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  28. ↑ "Kapanui School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  29. ↑ "Eruini Te Tupe-o-Tū | Te Papa's Blog". 12 August 2013.
  30. ↑ "Five things you need to know about former Prime Minister Jim Bolger". Newshub. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
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