The beautiful Kapiti Coast District is located 50 minutes drive north of New Zealand's capital city, Wellington. Waikanae has something to offer everyone with superb restaurants, cafes and shops and a golf course that welcomes visitors and a beach that provides safe areas for swimming, surfing and fishing.

The town is in four distinct parts: the beach, the garden area, the village, Hemi Matenga and the hills at Reikorangi. If you are keen on the outdoors both the North and South banks of the Waikanae River have walkways. The South bank winds through through parkland and trees, while the North bank takes in the estuary, bird life and coastal views.

The Hemi Matenga bush walk is another option for the outdoor person it takes approximately 90 minutes to the top and back if you walk slowly. Bird watching, whitebaiting, walking and picnicking are among the activities you can enjoy at Waikanae Estuary. You can walk along the sand spit and river banks and see wading birds, such as variable oystercatchers and banded dotterels.