What is Nga Manu Nature Reserve?

Nga Manu Nature Reserve is a 14-hectare native bush reserve in Waikanae with an accessible kiwi enclosure, eel-feeding pool, walking trails and native birdlife. Run by a trust, modest entry fee.

How do I get from Wellington to Waikanae?

The Kapiti Line train from Wellington Railway Station takes around 60 minutes to Waikanae Station. By car, around 55 to 65 minutes via SH1 off-peak.

Is Waikanae Beach safe for swimming?

Waikanae Beach is a long, sheltered sandy beach generally safe for swimming, especially at the southern end. Patrols operate during peak summer. The river mouth at the southern end has stronger currents.

What schools are in Waikanae?

Kapanui School and Waikanae School are state co-ed primaries in the area. Waikanae School (intermediate years) and Kapiti College in Paraparaumu serve the older catchment.

Which schools are in zone for Waikanae?

Children living in Waikanae are in zone for Paraparaumu College, Our Lady of Kapiti School, Waikanae School. Living in a school's home zone gives a guaranteed right to enrol.

How do I check my school zone in Waikanae?

Use the School Zone Checker on this page — enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.

Waikanae, Wellington | Schools, Lifestyle & Local Guide

Living in Waikanae

Waikanae is a coastal town on the Kapiti Coast, around 55 km north of central Wellington on the Kapiti Line. It's smaller and quieter than neighbour Paraparaumu, with a strong retirement-and-family character and a reputation for the kind of slow, garden-centric lifestyle that draws people specifically.

The town splits into two main areas: Waikanae proper (around the train station, the Waikanae River and the village shops) and Waikanae Beach (3 km west, with the long beach and a quieter holiday-cottage character). Both have grown steadily since the early 2000s.

The standout local feature is the Nga Manu Nature Reserve: 14 hectares of native bush with one of the country's most accessible kiwi enclosures, an eel-feeding pool, walking trails, and a population of native birds you don't see every day. Run by a trust, modest entry fee, well worth a visit.

The Waikanae River runs through town and forms the boundary with Otaki further north. Schools include Kapanui School, Waikanae School and Kapiti College for the secondary catchment (in Paraparaumu). The train station puts central Wellington around 60 minutes away. Waikanae has the unusual reputation of being a town people actually move to deliberately rather than commuting to.

Is Waikanae a good place to live?

Waikanae is home to roughly 9,717 people. On Suburb's overall livability scale, Waikanae scores 72 out of 100, with a safety score of 66/100 and 35% green space.

Schools: Waikanae has 4 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 $881K, and weekly rent typically sits around $500.

Lifestyle: Waikanae has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. Public transport stops are within easy reach. The current temperature is 8.4°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.

Whether Waikanae 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

Safety66
Amenities100
Schools67
Housing Affordability43
Green space100
Community89
Transport20

Property & Economics

Est. Median Value: $881K
Median Weekly Rent: $500/wk
Median HH Income: $60K/yr
Pop. Growth (5yr): +8.7%
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

Browse all suburbs in Kapiti Coast District →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Waikanae?: Waikanae is a coastal town on the Kapiti Coast, around 55 km north of central Wellington on the Kapiti Line. It sits between Paraparaumu (south) and Otaki (north).
What is Nga Manu Nature Reserve?: Nga Manu Nature Reserve is a 14-hectare native bush reserve in Waikanae with an accessible kiwi enclosure, eel-feeding pool, walking trails and native birdlife. Run by a trust, modest entry fee.
How do I get from Wellington to Waikanae?: The Kapiti Line train from Wellington Railway Station takes around 60 minutes to Waikanae Station. By car, around 55 to 65 minutes via SH1 off-peak.
Is Waikanae Beach safe for swimming?: Waikanae Beach is a long, sheltered sandy beach generally safe for swimming, especially at the southern end. Patrols operate during peak summer. The river mouth at the southern end has stronger currents.
What schools are in Waikanae?: Kapanui School and Waikanae School are state co-ed primaries in the area. Waikanae School (intermediate years) and Kapiti College in Paraparaumu serve the older catchment.

Schools & Enrolment Zones in Waikanae

Schools in zone for Waikanae

Children living in Waikanae have a guaranteed right to enrol at these schools, based on Ministry of Education home zones.

Paraparaumu College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1515 · decile 5
Our Lady of Kapiti School
Full Primary · roll 297 · decile 7
Waikanae School
Full Primary · roll 456 · decile 7

Check your school zone

School Zone Checker

Enter your address to check your school zone in Waikanae. 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 Waikanae that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).

Kapakapanui School
Full Primary · roll 498 · decile 9 · 2.3 km away

Explore Waikanae

Things to do(26)

The Achievement Room

Russell Reserve

BodyFix Gym

The Stable Boxing & Fitness

Custom Fitness Waikanae

Dancefit with Will

Polefusion Fitness

LaserWar NZ - Mobile Laser Tag Wellington and Kapiti Coast

Surpass Fitness

Waikanae War Memorial Park

Nga Manu Nature Reserve

24/7 Fitness Waikanae

Edgewater Park

Hemi Matenga Memorial Park

Waikanae Gymnastic Club

Denise Walker Dance Academy

Waikanae Bridge Club

Waikanae Bowling Club

Waikanae Dance School

Aikido Kapiti

Waikanae Rugby Club

Waikanae Park Wrestling Club

Jim Cooke Memorial Park

Kapiti Equestrian and Vaulting Club

GKR Karate

Waikanae Park

Parks & green spaces(7)

Russell Reserve

Waikanae War Memorial Park

Nga Manu Nature Reserve

Edgewater Park

Hemi Matenga Memorial Park

Jim Cooke Memorial Park

Waikanae Park

Healthcare(1)

Month	High (°C)	Low (°C)	Rainfall (mm/day)	Sunshine (hrs/day)
☀️ Jan	20.29	13.51	5.53	10.59
☀️ Feb	18.84	13.18	7.58	9.62
🍂 Mar	16.73	10.64	8.99	8.77
🍂 Apr	16.18	9.96	9.07	7.45
🍂 May	13.79	8.11	7.85	6.72
❄️ Jun	12.51	6.74	4.67	6.19
❄️ Jul	11.19	5.67	6.37	5.79
❄️ Aug	10.66	5.35	10.23	6.77
🌸 Sep	12.92	7.13	9.82	8.07
🌸 Oct	14.13	7.96	9.7	9.3
🌸 Nov	15.85	9.77	6.66	9.79
☀️ Dec	18.26	12.4	7.11	9.21

Living in Waikanae

Is Waikanae a good place to live?

Map

Livability Breakdown

Property & Economics

Key Financial Indicators (NZD)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools & Enrolment Zones in Waikanae

Schools in zone for Waikanae

Paraparaumu College

Our Lady of Kapiti School

Waikanae School

Check your school zone

School Zone Checker

Other nearby schools

Kapakapanui School

Explore Waikanae

🎯Things to do(26)

The Achievement Room

Russell Reserve

BodyFix Gym

The Stable Boxing & Fitness

Custom Fitness Waikanae

Dancefit with Will

Polefusion Fitness

LaserWar NZ - Mobile Laser Tag Wellington and Kapiti Coast

Surpass Fitness

Waikanae War Memorial Park

Nga Manu Nature Reserve

24/7 Fitness Waikanae

Edgewater Park

Hemi Matenga Memorial Park

Waikanae Gymnastic Club

Denise Walker Dance Academy

Waikanae Bridge Club

Waikanae Bowling Club

Waikanae Dance School

Aikido Kapiti

Waikanae Rugby Club

Waikanae Park Wrestling Club

Jim Cooke Memorial Park

Kapiti Equestrian and Vaulting Club

GKR Karate

Waikanae Park

🌳Parks & green spaces(7)

Russell Reserve

Waikanae War Memorial Park

Nga Manu Nature Reserve

Edgewater Park

Hemi Matenga Memorial Park

Jim Cooke Memorial Park

Waikanae Park

🏥Healthcare(1)

Waikanae Health

Eat & Drink in Waikanae

🍽️Places to eat & drink(27)

Sushimi

Dessert Delights

Kerbside Coffee Kapiti

Griffin and Pops

Olive Grove Cafe & Gifts

Nicholson's Bistro & Cafe

Eastern Egret Restaurant

Eat Lah Kapiti

Pronto Pizza and Pasta

North End Brewery

Maison 8

Salt and Wood BBQ

The Salt and Wood Collective

Bakehouse of Waikanae

Relish Cafe and Catering

Joe and Joy Eatery

Prah Ta Pang Restaurant

Thai Herb&Vege garden

Waikanae Roast

Samrat Indian Restaurant

Subway

Nony's Dessert Delights

Waikanae Chartered Club

Things to do(26)

Parks & green spaces(7)

Healthcare(1)

Places to eat & drink(27)

Tradies & services(35)

Shops(14)

Beauty & fitness(35)