Ten United States Navy personnel drowned off the Kāpiti Coast, north of Wellington, during a training exercise in bad weather.
Paekakariki
Events In History
Articles
US Forces in New Zealand
The first American soldiers landed on New Zealand soil in June 1942, beginning an 'invasion' which would have a profound impact on both visitors and hosts over the next 18 months. Read the full article
Page 4 - The camps
American life in New Zealand between 1942 and 1944 was centred on the camps. Most of these were within marching distance or a short train journey from Wellington or Auckland. Some
Township on the narrow coastal strip on the Kapiti Coast, 42km north-east of Wellington.
Meaning of place name
Pae: perch or snare; kākāriki: parakeet. There is a legend to the effect that Haupipi, pursuing his wife, came to a rock barrier at the end of the beach. This gave the name to the locality. He drove his taiaha in the cliff, made a hole through it and came out the other side, where he found his wife.
