Skip to content

Site Menu

For teachers

Kapiti Island and Kapiti Marine Reserve field trip

Wellington/Kapiti region

Aerial view of Kapiti Island. Photo: KL Jones.

Aerial view of Kapiti Island

Map of New Zealand showing Wellington/Kapiti region.

Kapiti is one of New Zealand's most valuable nature reserves, and it is the only large island sanctuary for birds between the Hauraki Gulf in the north and New Zealand's southern outlying islands.

Kapiti Marine Reserve is 30 kilometres from Wellington city and is located between Paraparaumu and Waikanae beaches and Kapiti Island. To visit you will need a landing permit, a launch booking, and transport to and from the Kapiti Boating Club, Paraparaumu Beach.

Visiting Kapiti Island and Kapiti Marine Reserve is an opportunity for your students to experience a remote natural area.

Learning outcomes

Find learning areas and outcomes and curriculum links.

Teaching resource

View and download the Kapiti Island and Kapiti Marine Reserve teaching resource.

Learn more

Find links to related information.

Highlights:

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve

Kapiti is one of the few accessible island nature reserves. There you can observe birds that are either very rare or absent from the mainland. Access is by permit only.

Kapiti Marine Reserve

The underwater scenery, exceptionally clear waters, and rich animal and plant life attract many visitors to Kapiti Marine Reserve.

Kapiti Marine Reserve

Kapiti Marine Reserve protects a rare and special marine environment. It links Kapiti Island Nature Reserve and Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve on the adjacent mainland shore.

Find out more

Publications

View and download all teaching resource publications

2012 Meridian sustainability calendar (PDF, 1100K)

Learn more

LEARNZ website Register for a conservation/biodiversity virtual field trip

Natural Heritage Collection website offers schools free images of NZ's native species

View the Wildtrack children's nature series on NZ on Screen

Contacts

For more information:

Contact your local DOC office

Or email conservED@doc.govt.nz