Waikanae
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Waikanae (pronounced Why-kah-nye) is a small town on New Zealand's Kapiti Coast. The name is a Māori word meaning "The waters of the yellow eyed mullet". Another settlement called Waikanae Beach exists near Gisborne on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
The town is about 60 kilometres north of Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, and is between the towns of Paraparaumu, eight kilometres to the southwest, and Otaki, 15 kilometres to the northeast.
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[edit] Geography
Waikanae and its small neighbouring settlement of Waikanae Beach serve as quiet places for young families and older people. Just north of Waikanae is the small settlement of Peka Peka.
The town and surrounding area is most noted for its beautiful beach and river mouth, which is opposite the long form of Kapiti Island, which lies four kilometres offshore in the Tasman Sea. The waters between Waikanae Beach and Kapiti Island are a marine reserve, and whales are sometimes spotted on their migration routes through the narrow corridor. The beach itself is composed of black volcanic sand, but is still great for water sports and long walks. Inland, behind Waikanae, are the Tararua Ranges and the Akatarawa Valley, home to a popular conservation park, Staglands Wildlife Reserve. A road through the valley provides a link with the Hutt Valley via Reikorangi and Cloustonville.
[edit] History
The area has much historic and mythic meaning for the Māori people of New Zealand.
[edit] Transport
The town is located on State Highway 1 and the North Island Main Trunk Railway, and currently proposals exist to extend Wellington's commuter service, Tranz Metro, to Waikanae. The only present commuter train to Wellington is the Capital Connection.
[edit] See also
- Waikanae River
- Waianae Hawaii
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