The Kapiti Island Nature Reserve was an all day adventure. Starting at the Kapiti Boating Club on Paraparaumu Beach, we boarded a medium size tour boat and in no time we landed on the beach at Wairua Bay. In 1819, Kapiti Islands great warrior chief Te Rauparaha, took refuge where we landed, on the north end of Kapiti. Our guides for our trail hike, were his descendants.
Three walking trails were open for use. The Okupe Lagoon was flat and only 20 minutes long. There were a number of black swans enjoying the food basket the lagoon provides. Several from our group took the Okupe Loop Walk. The photo above was taken from that lookout point. It is a loop trail and easy climbing if you are in realitive good shape. The third trail was not taken by anyone in our group but it looks to be a couple hours long. In New Zealand everything is measured in time.
The Kapiti Island bird checklist, names 65 varieties of birds spotted on this reserve. Before a few citizens became aware of the need to protect bird life on the island, it is estimated that fifty different birds became extinct. We didn't see many birds because we made too much noise tromping through the woods, plus it was late in the morning. The best way for viewing bird life would be to book accommodations, a night or two, on the island and then view at sunrise and sunset.
Along with private island accommodations there are guided nature walks, nighttime Kiwi spotting and facilities for small conferences or meetings or team building.
http://www.kapitiislandnaturetours.co.nz/
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