Outdoor photo of two flag poles and mock recreations of military huts. The New Zealand and American flags are flying.

The US Marines at Paekākāriki

The US Marines were at Paekākāriki from 1942-44, training to fight in the Pacific during WW2. Experience the story of their time here.

Special Event: A film showing and guide to Marines’ sites around Paekākāriki. An excellent film, 'Meet New Zealand', will be shown on a continuous loop in the Ramaroa Centre at the entrance to the Park. The film was compiled from movie and still images created in 1943 by a group of Marines under Staff Sergeant Norman Hatch; a US Marine Corps combat cameraman.

A host will answer your questions and provide a map to guide you to the key sites of Marines’ activity nearby: Marines’ memorial, Sailors’ Memorial, restored Marines Hut, Camp Mackay, Paekākāriki Station Museum, and Camp Paekākāriki.

Health & Safety

Please wear good shoes and dress for the weather.

Location
Queen Elizabeth Park & Whareroa Farm, Paekākāriki

Regions

Kāpiti Coast

Tags

Site Tour
Talk
Museum
Walking Tour
Accessible
Self-Guided

Event times

10am-3pm Sat 9 Nov

Free

Kapiti US Marines Trust

The Kāpiti US Marines Trust (KUSMT) is a not-for-profit trust registered with the Charities Commission (CC46035). It was established in 2009 by the former Mayor of Kāpiti, Jenny Rowan. The Trust connects with a wide range of local, regional and national groups with an interest in the collection, conservation, exhibition, and promotion of Marines’ History – particularly in camps Paekākāriki, Mackay and Russell, in southern Kāpiti, New Zealand. Our goal is to keep this significant WWII story alive for future generations by creating engaging signage, relating to the 1942-44 encampment of the Marines in Paekākāriki.

Email: anthonydreavernz@gmail.com

Phone: 02102579171

Website: https://marinesnz.com/

The Discover Kāpiti Heritage Group

The Discover Kāpiti Heritage Group is formed by the Paekākāriki Station Museum, Steam Incorporated, Wellington Tramway Museum (at Queen Elizabeth Park), Kapiti US Marines Trust (at Queen Elizabeth Park), Museum of Aviation (Kāpiti Road, Paraparaumu), Southward Car Museum (in Otaihanga), the Kāpiti Coast Museum (in Waikanae), Mahara Gallery , The Kilns at Te Horo, Ōtaki Museum and Friends of Ōtaki Rotunda. Representatives of these organisations meet regularly and each year coordinate the Kāpiti Coast Heritage Clue Hunt and facilitate Kāpiti Coast Heritage participation in the Wellington Heritage Festival.

Website: http://www.kapitiheritage.org.nz/