- Est. Median Value
- $805K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $528/wk
- Safety Score
- 77/100
- Green Space
- 61%
- Current Weather
- 10.0°C
- Median Age
- 41 yrs
~48 crimes/1k/yr
broken clouds
Living in Pukerua Bay
Pukerua Bay is a small clifftop village on the Kapiti Coast, around 35 km north of central Wellington and just north of Plimmerton. It's a strung-out settlement along Pukerua Beach Road and the parallel Sea View Road, with houses on the cliff and a small black-sand beach at the bottom.
The most-mentioned local fact is that Sir Peter Jackson grew up here. The Lord of the Rings director moved to Pukerua Bay with his parents in the 1960s and made his earliest amateur films in and around the village. The local Pukerua Bay Hall has a small heritage display.
The beach below the cliffs is exposed and rugged, with black sand, frequent strong winds, and surf that varies between excellent and dangerous. Not a swimming beach for the unwary. Pukerua Bay School (state co-ed primary) is the local school. Older students typically attend schools in Porirua.
The train station puts central Wellington around 35 minutes away. The Pukerua Bay headland gives some of the best Kapiti Island views on the entire coast. Get up there with a coffee on a clear morning. The cliff houses get a sunset most Wellington suburbs would pay for.
Is Pukerua Bay a good place to live?
Pukerua Bay is home to roughly 1,965 people. On Suburb's overall livability scale, Pukerua Bay scores 63 out of 100, with a safety score of 77/100 and 61% green space.
Schools: Pukerua Bay has 2 schools in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $805K, and weekly rent typically sits around $528.
Lifestyle: Pukerua Bay has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 10.0°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Pukerua Bay is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety77
- Amenities34
- Schools90
- Housing Affordability47
- Green space100
- Community78
- Transport40
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $805K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $528/wk
- Median HH Income
- $133K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +0.2%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Pukerua Bay?
- Pukerua Bay is a small clifftop village on the Kapiti Coast, around 35 km north of central Wellington. It sits between Plimmerton (south) and Paekakariki (north) on the western coast.
- Did Peter Jackson grow up in Pukerua Bay?
- Yes. Sir Peter Jackson moved to Pukerua Bay with his parents in the 1960s and grew up in the village. He made his earliest amateur films in and around the area as a teenager.
- Is Pukerua Bay Beach safe for swimming?
- Pukerua Bay Beach is exposed and rugged, with strong winds and variable surf. It's not generally recommended for swimming. Better as a walking beach or for experienced surfers in the right conditions.
- How do I get from Wellington to Pukerua Bay?
- The Kapiti Line train from Wellington Railway Station takes around 35 minutes. By car, around 35 to 45 minutes via SH1, longer at rush hour.
- What schools are in Pukerua Bay?
- Pukerua Bay School (state co-ed primary, years 1 to 6) is the local primary. Older students typically attend Aotea College, Mana College or other schools in Porirua.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Pukerua Bay
Schools in zone for Pukerua Bay
Children living in Pukerua Bay have a guaranteed right to enrol at these school, based on Ministry of Education home zones.
Hutt International Boys' School
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 653 · decile 10
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Pukerua Bay. School enrolment zones (home zones) decide which schools your child has a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Address matching is approximate and based on OpenStreetMap geocoding — confirm an exact result near a zone boundary directly with the school.
Other nearby schools
Schools close to Pukerua Bay that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
Pukerua Bay School
Full Primary · roll 153 · decile 10 · 1.5 km away
Explore Pukerua Bay
Things to do(4)
Greenmeadows Park
Paekakariki Surf Club
Raroa Reserve
Pukerua Bay Tennis Club
Parks & green spaces(2)
Greenmeadows Park
Raroa Reserve
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Eat & Drink in Pukerua Bay
Places to eat & drink(2)
Greedy & Co.
The Salty Sausage Bar & Grill
Tradies & Services in Pukerua Bay
Tradies & services(2)
Argo Plumbing
Pukerua Bay Kindergarten
Shops in Pukerua Bay
Shops(2)
KJ Contracting
Under Pressure Plumbing
Beauty & Fitness in Pukerua Bay
Beauty & fitness(7)
Dreadlocks Wellington
Lifeguard Health
Manawa Moko Limited
Paekakariki Surf Club
Pukerua Bay Tennis Club
Reds Hair
The White Studio
Professional Services in Pukerua Bay
Professional services(2)
Goosey Goosey Gander Photography
Moggie Lodge
Pukerua Bay Weather
Current conditions: 10.0°C, broken clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 21.31 | 15.17 | 1.59 | 12.05 |
| ☀️ Feb | 20.26 | 15.25 | 5.08 | 10.01 |
| 🍂 Mar | 18.65 | 13.28 | 2.56 | 9.9 |
| 🍂 Apr | 17.49 | 12.02 | 3.53 | 8.41 |
| 🍂 May | 15.55 | 10.54 | 4.22 | 7.02 |
| ❄️ Jun | 13.86 | 8.86 | 4.52 | 6.5 |
| ❄️ Jul | 12.73 | 8.16 | 4.49 | 5.82 |
| ❄️ Aug | 12.56 | 8.35 | 5.27 | 7.31 |
| 🌸 Sep | 14.03 | 9.54 | 3.48 | 8.44 |
| 🌸 Oct | 14.92 | 9.93 | 3.21 | 9.92 |
| 🌸 Nov | 17.09 | 12.17 | 3.03 | 11.31 |
| ☀️ Dec | 19.13 | 14.13 | 2.86 | 10.96 |
Pukerua Bay Community
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