Don McGlashan at St Peter's Hall. Photo by Mark Coote.

On the town

"They're a lovely, fun, raucous audience. It's always the first venue that sells out."
- Tami Neilson on playing in Paekākāriki

Paekākāriki attracts musicians who would never play any other town of this size - it has some of the best gigs you are ever likely to go to. The town has hosted dub, ska, country, reggae, rock, klezmer and various unclassifiable acts, from as far away as Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Hawaii and Hamilton, leading to the town being dubbed ‘The Lyttelton of Wellington’.  SEE WHAT'S ON — Visit our calendar   

If you've got a public event or gig email us with the details and we'll add you to the calendar.
St Peter’s Hall  is the premier venue for rock, reggae, country & western and folk gigs, the Memorial Hall mostly hosts classical and jazz concerts, in particular the annual Mulled Wine Concerts series. There’s been the odd gig at the Scout den in Campbell Park, the Surf Club on The Parade and the Bowling Club on Wellington Road, and outdoor gigs in Campbell Park. For news of upcoming gigs see our calendar or check our Facebook page. Or join Janet Holborow’s What's On Community Notices  e-mail list. Look for posters around the village shops, chalked signs on the board by St Peter’s Hall, and on the wall by the public toilets on Beach Road. Gigs are also advertised in the local papers (Kapiti Observer and the Kapiti Mail) and St Peter’s Hall has an online calendar detailing gigs and other upcoming events. Also listen for updates in the community notices section on the Te Pae current affairs show on Paekakariki FM 12noon and 6pm daily.

Tips

  • Popular gigs often sell out, advance tickets are sometimes available online at Undertheradar.co.nz or in person at Paekākāriki Fruit Supply on Beach Road.
  • If you live here going to see the bands playing is a way to contribute to keeping this scene alive. It won’t cost you much, and at best you’ll have an unexpectedly great time. Especially if you get up and dance.St Peter's Village Hall from Science Films NZ on Vimeo


Films, museums, and galleries

Look out for the occasional community film screenings at St Peter’s Hall as well, where a projector is available for hire. The Paekakariki Station Museum in the railway station has displays of railway and local history and is open weekends and public holidays from 11 am to 3 pm. The artist collective, Holtom's Art Studios gallery, upstairs on Beach Road is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4pm. Up by the MacKays Crossing entrance to Queen Elizabeth Park, the Tramway Museum is open weekends, public holidays, and Boxing Day to Wellington Anniversary Day for visits and tram rides to the beach. You can grab an ice cream from the ticket kiosk, too. At the northern end of the railway yards is the Steam Incorporated locomotive museum which has regular excursions in steam and antique diesel-hauled trains and occasional open days. Steam locos can often be seen shunting around in preparation for the longer trips.

Other amusements

See the calendar for community events such as the annual Scout Group Quiz Night– the highlight some say of the Paekākāriki winter social season – school plant sales and galas and the Playcentre Bonanza. Being a small town, we often have to make our own fun through such things as loud parties, watching model aircraft fly at the Kapiti Aeromodellers Club in Queen Elizabeth Park and repainting the Beach Road zebra crossing rainbow-coloured in the dead of night. If you want to toast marshmallows and sausages, you can apply for a beach fire permit. Orca fans should sign up to the Kapiti whale and dolphin watch Facebook page for reports of nearby sightings.

 
St Peter's Village Hall
Beach Rd
Paekakariki Community Trust
The Film Festival shows films in St Peter's Village Hall, Paekakariki, generally in the winter, as a way to raise funds to maintain and upgrade the hall's facilities. All profits go to the St Peter's Village Hall fund.
An event run by the Paekakariki Community Trust.
Paekākāriki Railway Station
Sat-Sun: 11am-3pm
Public holidays: 11am-3pm
The museum presents artefacts relating to the history of Paekākāriki and its surrounding area. Items on display relate to both Māori and European settlement, the history of rail in the area and the encampment of thousands of US Marines near Mackays Crossing during World War II.
Memorial Hall
The Parade
Paekākāriki
Top-quality classical concerts featuring national and international guests. Please visit our website for programmes and tickets.
Beach Road
Paekakariki
Hall available for all sorts of events; meetings; regular classes; weddings. See website for details.
The Engine Shed
SH 1
Paekākāriki
Mon-Sat: 9am-4pm
Peter Norman
0800 STEAMINC
027 446 6504
Membership is open to anyone who wishes to support the activities of the Society. Frequent excursions to different destinations, typically every 1-2 months as advertised.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Mackays Crossing
Sat & Sun: weather dependent
Paul Buckrell
027 243 8416
06 364 6027
Spectators are welcome at any time at the club when members are flying. There is a good vantage point on the slope running up behind the club house. If you have children with you, please make sure they do not wander off. Strictly no dogs.
Contact Ian McMillan.
1 Beach Road
Paekākāriki
10am – 3pm from Monday – Friday
10am – 4pm on Saturday and Sunday
Dianna Fary
027 284 8909
A working collective art studio & gallery featuring the work of Dianna Fary, Alan Wehipeihana and other local artists. Situated in the old Holtom's Building above the Perching Parrot cafe and Beach Rd Deli. If the door is open feel free to visit.