The township of Plimmerton surrounds one of the more congenial beaches in the northwest part of the Wellington urban area in New Zealand. Its recent census population (including Hongoeka Bay) was 2055, with not much scope for growth without spoiling the environment.

History

The area was first settled by Maori early in their occupation of New Zealand, and a major pa, Taupo Pa, was sited nearby.

In the 1840s it was the home of Te Rauparaha, who was captured here by the British in 1846. Near the southern end of Motuhara Road, a tiny historic reserve contains a cabbage tree that may be descended from the one he was said to have been captured near, and a plaque and landscaped area add to the significance of the spot.

The original laying-out of streets and naming was done for the railway company that had taken over from the Government in pushing a rail link from the capital, Wellington, to Palmerston North. Several towns were established along the way to encourage settlements that would contribute to the line's business. John Plimmer was a director.

By the late 1890s Plimmerton had become a popular holiday destination.

For a long time a separate county town in the Hutt County , on 1 April 1973 the still-growing area became one of the northern suburbs of Porirua City. Though small, it was one of the most lively. For a time it had the only active "Residents Association" in the city.

Localities

The largely Maori (Ngati Toa) settlement at Hongoeka Bay to the northwest is part of Plimmerton for most practical social purposes.

North of the industrial area is the Taupo Swamp , a flax swamp, one of the largest of its type in the southern half of the North Island.

There is no clear boundary between eastern Plimmerton and the late-20th-century suburb of Camborne.

The main shopping area (about two blocks long) adjoins a busy railway station (the terminus for many peak-period trains from Wellington) and contains two churches, a medical centre, Plunket rooms, a craft shop, a beauty salon, a realtor, and a disproportionately large number and variety of popular eateries. School, kindergarten, and tennis courts are close. Historic buildings abound.

Southwest of the commercial centre is a fairly sheltered, gently graded beach, which has been a popular recreatioon area for over a century. The adjoining water is popular with windsurfers; some world champions have trained there. Another popular beach is Karehana Bay , at the foot of the Airlie Road/Cluny Road valley northwest of the main built-up area. Poet Denis Glover once wrote about the settlement: "In Plimmerton, in Plimmerton, the little penguins play, and I have seen an albatross at Karehana Bay".

External link

Plimmerton and Camborne - categorised profiled websites