Porirua

Get around

Mana Transport operate numerous services which mostly operate out of the rail station's forecourt to Porirua's suburbs as well as towards surrounding towns. Fares are based on distance — a typical city-suburb journey will cost about $3. Wellington's Snapper Card is accepted.

Do

Porirua has plenty to keep you busy. Enjoy the traditional activities of golfing or bowling. Go go-karting or horse riding. Play at the beach, the city surrounds Porirua Harbour.

Buy

A major attraction of central Porirua is its shops and mall, with the 12-storey Wrightson Building (linking with New Zealand's earliest pastoral service companies) overlooking most. Saturday morning early birds may pick up fresh cheap produce at the central city open-air market.

There are 3 major supermarkets. New World, in North City Mall opposite the train station, has the highest quality products but is a little pricey. Cheaper Woolworths and Pak'n'Save supermarkets are 5 minutes walk to the north.

The only 24-hour stores for late night snacks, pies, and cigarettes etc are the small convenience stores attached to gas stations around the city. They do not sell alcohol, but nearby liquor stores are also open late.

Eat

The usual bakeries, fast-food restaurants (Porirua was home to the first McDonald's restaurant in New Zealand, which opened in June 1976), dairies (convenience stores), fish & chip shops and Chinese takeaways can be found around the city. The North City Mall (opposite Porirua train station) has a large foodcourt with the usual Asian and fast food.

Drink

Nightlife and bars in Porirua are almost non-existent — most Poriruaites will head to downtown Wellington on Friday and Saturday nights — if you stay out late enough it's possible to return to Porirua at around 5AM when the first trains start running in the morning, alternatively a night-bus (N6) runs hourly between midnight and 4AM from Courtney Place to Porirua (continuing to Plimmerton) - one way $10. There are a handful of small bars (known as 'Taverns') close to the North City shopping mall; however, they lack atmosphere, can become very rowdy and should be avoided.

Sleep

You cannot taste all the city's delights in one day, so a motel or hostel may appeal, or one of several bed-and-breakfast establishments. Free camping is available in several locations.

Stay safe

Porirua has a reputation amongst many Wellingtonians as being unsafe because the eastern suburbs are one of the Wellington region's lower socio-economic zones. Though that may be exaggerated by locals, it does have a higher crime rate than the rest of the Wellington region.

Apply usual safety rules when you are not in controlled areas: no flashing valuables or wearing expensive clothing. A tourist's biggest risk is having personal belongings stolen, by use of some form of violence.

Go next

Hutt Valley Kapiti Coast, north up State Highway 1, or via the Paekakariki Hill road from Pauatahanui, has several good beaches. Paekakariki Hill offers an excellent view and a hang-gliding ridge. Wellington City