Insider's Guide
“It is immensely rewarding to plan something on such a big scale and see it come off successfully, enjoyed by the whole community,” says Esmee. We asked for her top tips for the Porirua area…
Best place for breakfast… Kaizen at Pataka Museum. They do a great mixed grill and yummy fruit with yoghurt.
Best place for lunch… Café Vella does a delicious fish with lemon caper sauce.
Best beach… Titahi Bay, of course! Have hours of fun surfing, making sand castles and scrounging in rock pools.
Favourite place for coffee… A flat white at The Peppermill Deli is our favorite.
Best value meal, approx $25… Curry Village under the canopies is a cosy night out with good service and great curries, just face yourself away from the sports TV!
Best buy for under $50… The kaimoana stall at the Saturday morning market sells scallops, paua and mussels. At the market there’s also plenty of fruit and produce, music and interesting nic nacs.
Insider’s tip… Look out for the Pataka Craft Market for handmade treasures, held about four times during the year.
Favourite walk in Porirua… Oh, there’s so many. Colonial Knob for an uphill workout with stunning views, Onepoto/Whitirea loop for a good hour and a half walk with the dog, and behind the Cambourne boatsheds for a leisurely amble with the family.
Fun place to explore… We have water holes at Battle Hill, several beaut’ beaches, great hills to climb, run and mountain bike on, inlets to canoe and paddle in, and the beautiful Mana Island.
Must-buy local gift… My paintings!
Special fact about Porirua… The ‘Welcome to Porirua’ sign coming from Tawa on the moterway contains a wonderful photo of my niece Maggie and her crazy brother Jesse.
Best wet weather activity… Te Rauparaha Arena’s swimming pool and the library.
Something all visitors should know about Porirua… It is one of the friendliest, most welcoming places to live and you don’t have to pay for parking – plus no traffic jams. It’s a great place to bring up a family.
Top tip for the Festival of the Elements… Get in quick to get a good park and stay for the day. Then just relax and enjoy the entertainment.
Why Waitangi Day is important to me… The Festival of the Elements allows Porirua to show off what it’s got… great people, culture and a warm atmosphere of diversity and inclusiveness. Waitangi Day links us all together.









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