Sunny Otaki

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Egg-citing Otaki - By the Easter Bunny

Happy Easter everyone! A message from the Easter Bunny: "This year on my Easter Egg journey I've decided to make a stop over in Otaki! My favourite spot is Otaki Beach, it's so beautiful, I love hopping and jumping around on the sand and bury my big toes into the warm sand. But I'm an honorary Tidy Kiwi and make sure the only thing I leave behind on the beach are my footprints....maybe you'll see my footprints over the easter holidays? There is plenty to do at Otaki Beach, during the summer months you can play Volley Ball and sunbathing, building sandcastles and expressing my eggstraordinary talent is so much fun! Enjoy your easter holidays and stay safe on the beach."

Otaki i-site children's playground

Otaki has a great selection of parks for the kids, and this little spot located on the main highway, near all the shops is a fantastic place for a quick stop. Whether your other half is shopping at Otaki's outlet stores or your taking a quick break before getting back on the road, the kids will love having a run around in this sweet little park. There are plenty of picnic tables and park benches to sit down relax and the kids will enjoy playing on the round-around, red tractor, giant rocking horse and swing. This park is also known as the Otaki i-Site playground. The big red tractor My little boy especially loved the big red tractor and spent most of his time " Driving the Farmers Car ". Look out for further blog posts on the other great children's parks in Otaki and Te Horo.

Millennium Forest, Haruatai Park

The Millennium Forest, located at Haruatai Park, was planted by Otaki Children at the start of the Millennium. Which was a project sponsored by the Otaki Rotary Club. Location, location, location You'll find the Millennium Forest Haruatai Park located past the sports playing fields. It was a great spot for some beautiful photographs of native trees and plants. It was a slightly overcast day when we took these photographs, but the green lush colours seemed even more vibrant than usual. Close by You'll also find Haruatai Park playground, Otaki Swimming pools with an awesome splash pad, a beautiful pathway that surrounds the park, playing fields, a sports club and a scout hall.

The Swing Bridge

Otaki Forks has been developed for a wide range of activities, there will be something for everyone to enjoy, from Historic sites, fords, swing bridges, camping, fishing, swiming, tramping and hiking! My first stop when heading to Otaki Forks is always the road swing bridge, if your not too scared of heights or bridges and venture across the bridge either by car or foot, you'll be in for a real treat. There are fantastic views of the amazing Otaki River from both directions. Just remember to be safe and watch out for vehicles as this bridge is used by local residents and tourists.

Views at Otaki Beach

Otaki Beach, what can you say, it's the most beautiful beach on the Kapiti Coast. It can be wild and ruggered with an amazing collection of driftwood or smooth sand and seashell collecting. Kapiti Island There are always fantastic views of Kapiti Island and a great place to swim with the family or your friends. (remember to always swim between the flags!) If your taking a long stroll with your pooch across the sands or dipping your toes in the water, so much to love about Otaki Beach. And then there's also the stunning sunsets which are always different and always spectatular. So whoever your with, enjoy the view. #Paperpeople

Fishing Trip with Poppa

My First Fishing trip at Otaki River Mouth with Nanna and Poppa, it was pretty successful, I managed to find two sticks, five rocks and Nanna and Poppa caught a bucketful of fish for my dinner. I wasn't aloud in the water, but Nanna did give me a bath when we got home, I was covered in sand and shells.

We say thank you for the Ice Cream

What is Summertime and Christmas without a yummy, scrummy ice cream and in Otaki we have the best ice cream in the whole, wide world! Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, in so many of your faverite flavours, Chocolate, Strawberry Ripple, Peanut Butter, Ginger Crunch, Coconut, Mint Choc Chip, Rocky Road, Blackberry, and any kind of berry, if you can dream about it, then you'll probably find it in Otaki at Koru Ice.

Otaki Christmas Cheer

I love Christmas, it's a great time of year to spend with your family, relaxing, eating yummy food, having a few drinks, and exchanging some presents, all in the beautiful surroundings of Otaki and that warm summer sun. Using social media, I found my faverite photos that to me represent Christmas in Otaki.

Around the World in Otaki - Part 2

My last blog post, Around the World in Otaki was so popular, I thought I would create a part 2. Otaki and Te Horo have some beautiful landscapes, varying wildly from sunsets, kite festivals, forests, rivers and churches which rival that of other locations around the world and you can visit some of the most famous locations around the globe right on your door-step! Check out Around the World in Otaki Part One here .

Then and Now

Otaki has come along way, the beautiful Rangiatea Church was destroyed in a horrific fire, but rebuilt by the community, there is amazing shopping on the main highway and on Main street, the Beach Pavillion is still used the by public. It may not be a post office anymore, but it's a well used and well loved building housing cultural art work. We've put togther a couple of then and now photographs. What do you remember from this wonderful town ?

Pavlova - a Kiwi christmas Classic

Pavola, the traditional Kiwi Dessert, no party is a success without one! Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum in Wellington, celebrated its first birthday in February 1999 with the creation of the world's largest pavlova, named "Pavzilla", which was cut by the Prime Minister of the time, Jenny Shipley.

Your Kapiti Coast Family Tree

Retracing your family steps and finding out where you come from can be an amazing step back into history. Otaki and Te Horo both have a wonderful and rich history, and using the local resources available you'll be able to research your family tree. Who know's who you'll find...

New Zealand Flag Facts

National pride is always something that comes in abundance of enthusiasm, and when it comes to your flag, you want to feel as though it represents you as a nation. There is plenty of discussion about New Zealand's current flag, and whether you love the flag or want a new look, it's important to take a look back at the history of the current flag and consider all the facts before making a decision.

Otaki Township

Otaki Township through the lens. A quick look at downtown Otaki on a slightly overcast, but still very warm day. The small rose garden by the War Memorial, the public seating, toi toi bushes, the Mural on the Civic Theatre, a small wheel barrow by Choices Art Cooperative, the Memorial Hall and the Family Hotel.