Focus Weekend: Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, & Tawa, 9th - 10th November 2024

With our Focus Weekends system, you can experience multiple heritage-themed events across the region in a single weekend, minimizing travel time and maximizing your experience. Whether you're interested in walking tours, creative heritage, or unique historical insights, there's something for everyone.

We'll release more blog posts like this one in the coming weeks, you can read our previous blog posts Pōneke Focus Weekend and Hutt Valley Focus Weekend now, with our final Focus Weekend, the Wairarapa, releasing soon. Keep an eye on our website to discover more!

Discover The Heritage of the Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, and Tawa

We are heading up the west coast to explore the incredible history of the Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, and Tawa on the weekend of the 9th-10th November. With a wide variety of community-driven events and fascinating talks from experts in their field, whether you are a history buff or just looking for a fun day out, there is something on for everyone to enjoy. Below are only SOME of the events in the area; there are many more options around the wider region on our Events page!

Saturday, 9th November

• Sharing Stories of the History of Pukerua Bay 10am-12pm Sat 9 Nov | RSA, 5-7 Wairaka Road, Pukerua Bay | Koha - Find out more Stop in for the launch of the He Ara Pukerua website.

• Tawa Heritage Talk and Walk 1:30-3:30pm Sat 9 Nov | Tawa Community Centre, 7 Cambridge St, Tawa | $5 - Booking required Pop your walking shoes on and learn about how Tawa came to be the residential suburb it is today from its farmland beginnings. Starting with an illustrated talk followed by a guided walk.

• Behind the Window: St Joseph’s and the Vella whānau 2-3pm Sat 9 Nov | 85 Paremata Haywards Road, Haywards, Lower Hutt | Koha - Find out more Visit the 146-year-old St. Joseph’s Church and hear about the history of the Vella whānau and the Croatian connections the church holds.

• Ngā Manu 50th Anniversary Bush Walk 10am-11.30am Sat 9 Nov & 10 Nov | 74 Nga Manu Reserve Rd, Waikanae | Costs vary - Find out more There's no better way to finish off your day than with a stroll through the beautifully lush Ngā Manu Nature Reserve.

Sunday, 10th November

• Burial Ground Stories from Pauatahanui 10am-1pm Sun 10 Nov | 4 Paekakariki Hill Road, Pāuatahanui | Koha - Find out more Start your Sunday by joining a talk about the history and people at the Pauatahanui's burial grounds.

• Puna-o-te Aroha 11am-4pm Sat 9 Nov, Sun 10 Nov & Sat 16 Nov | 4 Marae Lane, Waikanae | Koha - Find out more Visit the beautifully carved and decorated 1850s wharenui at Whakarongotai Marae in Waikanae, where stories, photos, and the sails of waka will be displayed on the walls, sharing the tales of migration for tangata whenua and early European settlers alike.

• Halfway House Heritage Garden Walk & Talk Guided Tour 1-2pm Sun 10 Nov & Sun 17 Nov | 246 Middleton Road Glenside | $5 - Booking required Continue with a guided walking tour at Glenside's historic Halfway House garden, halfway along the original road between Wellington and Porirua. The Garden is also open anytime during the festival for those who want to explore at their own pace, with information posters and free brochures available - Find out more

• Floor Talk - Selections from the Field Collection 2-3pm Sun 10 Nov | 20 Mahara Place, Waikanae | Free - Booking required Visit the newly redeveloped Toi MAHARA gallery and enjoy a talk on the 44 works in the Field Collection, many of them paintings by Frances Hodgkins (1869–1947) considered one of New Zealand’s most significant expatriate artists.

Kāpiti Coast Heritage Weekend

Focusing on the Kāpiti Coast, an additional eleven venues will host events during the weekend of the 9-10th November. Learn about the people places and stories that shaped the Kāpiti Coast into the place it is today. We have highlighted some events below. For a full list of events, visit Kāpiti Coast Heritage Weekend.

• Southward Car Museum 9am-4:30pm Sat 9 Nov & Sun 10 Nov | 250 Otaihanga Road, Otaihanga | Adults $22.50 | Children (5-15 years) $5.00 | Discounts for families and Gold Card holders

• Ōtaki Museum 10am-2pm Sat 9 Nov, 2-4pm Sun 10 Nov | 49 Main Street, Ōtaki | Free - Booking required for the talk only

• The Kilns at Te Horo 10am-4pm Sat 9 Nov & Sun 10 Nov | Jim Winiata Lane, Te Horo (off School Road) | Koha

• Kāpiti Aviation Museum 10am-4pm Sat 9 Nov & Sun 10 Nov | Kāpiti Coast Airport | Free

Kāpiti Coast Arts Trail

The Kāpiti Coast will be truly alive over the 9th and 10th of November, and the 2nd and 3rd of November as well! Wellington Heritage Festival is not the only show in town - you can also check out the Kāpiti Coast Arts Trail to discover the incredible artistic community of the area.

With over 300 artists involved, both past and present, there's a vibrant world to explore. Learn more about the Kāpiti Coast Arts Trail on their website, or download their brochure for a self-guided tour.

Make the Most of Your Weekend

With so many events throughout the Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, and Tawa, enjoying a full day or weekend of heritage-themed activities is easy. Here are some tips to make the most of your time:

• Plan Ahead: Check the event timings and locations to plan your day. Some events are nearby, making it easy to move from one to the next.

• Secure Your Spots: Some events in our Festival require bookings and are selling out fast! Book your tickets where necessary to make sure you don't miss out. You can see which events require bookings on our Events page.

• Explore More: Between events, take the time to explore other attractions, grab a bite to eat and explore nearby shops.

• Stay Engaged: Don’t forget to share your experiences on social media using our festival hashtag #whf24 and check out our website for more information about the full festival lineup.

Explore More Heritage

This weekend lineup is just one way to experience the Wellington Heritage Festival. With so many events to explore across the Greater Wellington Region, there’s no better time to dive into the past and discover the incredible stories that shape the present.

Be sure to check out our previous blog posts: Pōneke Focus Weekend Hutt Valley Focus Weekend

Check back for future posts highlighting our other Focus Weekends as the Festival continues.

To see the full schedule for the festival, visit our events page.