Kapiti Island and Wellington

Friday 26th November saw a ‘chill out’ day. Some washing, catch up home e-mail, have a sort out in the campervan... (Auntie) Heather was home early afternoon so went for a walk along the beach from Ngatitoa Domain along to Karehana Bay in beautifully warm sunshine. Although the wind was blowing a bit it was a warm breeze and very pleasant. The beach changes form sand to rock and back again quite quickly and there were a few people in the sea. There is an interesting mix of housing along here with some small properties mixed with ‘millionaire’ type houses.

Saturday saw a relatively early start as we had to be at Paraparaumu for just after 0830 to catch the boat to Kapiti Island. Kapiti is a predator free island 10km long and 2km wide, just 15 minutes boat ride away from the mainland where the plan is to allow the forest to re-establish following years of farming. The predator eradication programme has allowed the bird colonies to grow and the is a haven for Little Spotted Kiwis, Wekas, Kakas, Tuis, Bellbirds, New Zealand Robins and a host of other birds, many of which were in danger of extinction.

We took the first boat from Paraparaumu to Rangatira which is about two thirds of the way up the east coast of Kapiti, before switching boats for the journey to the North End. The boats held about 30 and gave a quick, smooth ride to the island.

On arrival we were given an interesting introductory talk which included the ‘island rules’, a brief history of the island, and an overview of the birds which we might see. It was then off on the Okupe Loop walk which took us up to the Western Lookout at the top of the western cliffs form which we got superb views. Along the way we had seen a variety of native birds including parrots, Wekas, New Zealand Robins and Tuis.

After a pause at the lookout we then had the second half of the walk where we had gravity on our side. Our descent included meeting up with a Weka soaking up the sun, though it did move just before we passed.

We then meandered along to lunch where there was a Weka with her chick, who she seemed to be teaching to forage.

Post lunch we had a guided walk where we learned more history of the island and its evolving topology, as well as finding out about the plant life and the way in which the forests develop over the millennia.

It was then time for the journey back to the mainland, iced coffees and back for dinner.
In the evening we went Wellington and to the top of Mount Victoria where we had good views of ‘Wellington by Night’, returning via a tour of night time Wellington.
A long and enjoyable day, helped by superb weather.....

Sunday saw another gloriously sunny day so we headed off to Zealandia, a wildlife sanctuary near Wellington. Definitely a ‘shorts, t-shirts and sun-block’ day so we took our picnic lunch with us. It was really good to meander around the protected area which has an 8km fence around which includes a ‘skirt’ into the ground 400mm deep to stop burrowing predators gaining entry. The guide map included a portfolio of wildlife that might be spotted and we did quite well against that, including some good examples of the musical Tui and a host of Kaka who were feeding.

They also have a protected research area for Tuatara which are referred to as living fossils. These chaps don’t move about quickly (unlike the birds!) and a ‘recent sightings’ board is available so they are quite readily photographed, though they are pretty well disguised!

We picnicked in the shade, walked to the top of the lookout tower, sat and watched Hihis feeding, crossed the upper dam (which formed part of Wellington’s water supply infrastructure at one time) and played bird spotting before ending our visit with iced coffee and similar drinks in the cafe.
We then had a circumnavigous trip home via the wind turbine (a tourist attraction!) which gave a different set of views of Wellington and, then, via the supermarket, to a cliff-top park area which gave great view across the bay from the opposite side to where we have been staying.

We have had a great couple of days here in Wellington with Heather and Denis. We’ll be sad to move on but all good things come to an end and tomorrow we will be back in the van and heading for Whanganui via my other aunt’s and a couple of days on the river canoeing, jet boating and walking.