Kapiti Coast (district), New Zealand
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|
| Kapiti Coast | ||
|---|---|---|
| Urban Area | Name | Kapiti Urban Area |
| Population | 35,900 | |
| Extent | Paekakariki to Pekapeka |
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| Territorial Authority |
Name | Kapiti Coast District |
| Population | 45,200 | |
| Extent | Paekakariki to Otaki;
east to the Tararuas |
|
| Regional Council | Name | Wellington |
The Kapiti Coast District is the name of a local government district in the north-west corner of the Wellington Region of New Zealand. It is similar to, but not identical to, the area known as the Kapiti Coast, a more ambiguous and less defined area stretching roughly from Porirua to the coast of the Horowhenua district.
Although administratively part of the Wellington Region, it is to a large extent economically and socially distinct from Wellington and the Hutt Valley, which together comprise the nucleus of the region. The Kapiti Coast district incorporates such towns as Paekakariki, Raumati, Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Otaki. Paraparaumu, considered the pivot of the district, is located about 55 km north of Wellington.
Most of the district was originally part of the now-defunct Hutt County. The Kapiti Borough Council was carved from it in 1973; in the local government reorganization of 1989, the Borough Council was replaced by the Kapiti Coast District Council, and the area under its jurisdiction was expanded northwards to include Waikanae and Otaki, which had been part of the former Horowhenua County.
The name of the district is derived from Kapiti Island, the prominent island several kilometres off the coast. Some living in areas to the north and south of the district boundary consider themselves to be part of the Kapiti Coast because the island is prominent in their sea views.
Apart from Kapiti Island, perhaps the most visible features of the Kapiti Coast are Paraparaumu Airport and Queen Elizabeth Park. The airport is sandwiched between Paraparaumu (on the north) and Raumati (on the south). Possessing three runways (one of which is now closed), it once served as the main airport of the Wellington region, but is now used mainly by aeroclubs. The park, lying to the south of Raumati, is a popular attraction which covers some 12 km² and stretches to Paekakariki.
Other Tourist attractions on the Kapiti Coast include Paraparaumu Golf Course, which hosted Tiger Woods in 2002. His marketing agents took offence at local businesses using his name in advertising. Another world-class attraction a few kilometres north of the town centre is Southward Car Museum.
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