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Official Club Name: The Friendship Force of Kapiti Coast Inc.
Closest Major Airport: Wellington (approximately 1 h 15 mins travelling time)
Transport to Kapiti Coast: Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.co.nz) operates frequent flights from all the main centres of both islands to Wellington. A shuttle service between Wellington Airport or the Ferry Terminals to Kapiti Coast can be arranged. There is a small airfield in Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast, and Air New Zealand offers daily limited capacity flights from Auckland direct to Paraparaumu. A local airline, Air2there (www.air2there.com) also operates daily limited-capacity flights to Paraparaumu from Blenheim (Marlborough) and Nelson in the South Island. Ferry services across Cook Strait are operated by Bluebridge Cook Strait ferry (www.bluebridge.co.nz) and The Interislander (www.interislander.co.nz) between Picton (Marlborough) and Wellington.
Hostings available: Minimum 10, maximum 25.
Formed in 1987, the Kapiti Coast Friendship Force is one of several clubs located in the lower half of the North Island. We welcome two international exchanges every year and also participate in local exchanges. Our outward exchange programme is based, where possible, on either a two or three-phase exchange. Our members may also join other clubs' exchanges. We have approximately 60 members (mainly retired and semi-retired).
The Kapiti Coast is located 60 km north of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. It stretches from Paekakariki in the south through the seaside village of Raumati, the commercial heart of Paraparaumu and the garden area of Waikanae to Otaki, one of New Zealand's oldest urban settlements and the pre-eminent historic place in the district, to the north. Its backdrop of the massive Tararua Ranges, the spectacular landscape and microclimate has made the Kapiti Coast a most desirable place to live. Kapiti Island Nature Reserve is located 5.6 km off the coast and is one of the nation's most important sites for bird recovery, where you will find a great variety of native birds. There are two walking tracks leading to the summit of the island that are steep and difficult in places and visitors using these should be fit and wear sturdy footwear and weatherproof clothing. A further track leading to the north of the island offers easier walking but still requires sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing. Facilities on the island are limited. A marine reserve spans the gap between the mainland and the island. A limited number of visitors are allowed on the island and a landing permit must be obtained from the Department of Conservation (www.doc.govt.nz). The total cost to visit Kapiti Island is $NZ11/adult per permit plus launch transport $NZ70/adult, both of which we are happy to arrange. One of our famous attractions is Southward Car Museum, a world-class showcase of vintage transport. Nga Manu Nature Reserve, dedicated to the preservation of NZ native flora and fauna, also affords the opportunity to view the prehistoric tuatara and the kiwi bird. The Ngati Raukawa Marae, located in Otaki, welcomes overseas visitors, and there is also the opportunity to visit the Rangiatea Church which was consecrated in 2004. The original church, built between 1844 and 1855 by the warrior chief Te Rauparaha and the missionary Octavius Hadfield, was destroyed by fire in 1995, and was rebuilt. The Kapiti Coast has a world class golf club at Paraparaumu, bowling greens, magnificent gardens, great beach and bush walks. Arts and crafts are well represented on the Coast and an Annual Arts trail is held in November. See www.kapiti.org.nz for further information.
For further information: Contact
Date updated 29 December 2013