Porirua Regional Information

Porirua is a harbourside city, just twenty minutes from Wellington City, with a population of over 50,000 and a reputation as a picturesque setting for water sports and relaxation.

There are 56 kilometres of coastline, two inland harbours and a number of surf beaches, where visitors and locals enjoy swimming, surfing, fishing, boating, windsurfing and diving in the summer months. There are also many parks and reserves in the area, where walkways and mountain biking tracks provide ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

Another way to get in touch with the natural environment of Porirua is a visit to Mana Island, a scientific reserve four kilometres offshore. The island's name is a shortened version of Te Mana o Kupe ki Aotearoa, honouring Kupe, the legendary 12th century Polynesian navigator and explorer. Walking tracks on the island allow visitors to explore the area, which is the focus of a revegetation project planting native shrubs and trees. Wildlife is protected on this rodent-free island, which is an important habitat for the Cook Strait Giant Weta, McGregor's Skink and Goldstripe Gecko.

To get a sense of the city's culture, visit Pataka, a museum and art gallery described as the cultural heart of the city. Displays there celebrate the heritage of the region and showcase contemporary art from Maori, Pacific Island and New Zealand artists. Within the city, there are a wide range of cultures which give it a unique cultural atmosphere. The weekly Saturday market is vibrant with the sounds, smells and tastes of this shared cultural heritage, combining Pacific, Asian and European influences. The annual Festival of the Elements presents singing, dancing and cultural performances from an array of backgrounds and genres, including Maori, hip hop, jazz, Chinese classical dancing and highland dancing.

Navigate with our great Porirua map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Wellington weather.

For more information on Porirua, visit the city's information site.