Kāpiti know-how: essential tips for new locals

Welcome to the beautiful Kāpiti Coast! Whether you’ve moved here recently or feel like an old hand, check out our checklist of how we do things a little differently in Kāpiti (and why!).

1. Know your tsunami zone

First up, check which tsunami zone your home, work, and school are in! 

Remember, if an earthquake is long OR strong, get gone. You might have only 10 minutes to get to safe ground, and the earthquake is your only warning – we don't have tsunami sirens on the Kāpiti Coast.

Make sure your whānau has an emergency plan, and a grab bag ready. When your adrenaline’s rushing and you have little time to get your whānau and pets to safe ground, you need to be prepared. Know where you’re heading, and practice as a whānau.

Find out everything you need to know about being prepared for emergencies like earthquakes, tsunami, flooding and more at What you need to know.

2. Set up your rubbish collection

In Kāpiti, rubbish and recycling collection isn't paid for by your Council rates. You'll need to arrange this with an independent collector, or manage it yourself by composting, reducing waste, or using transfer stations. This way, you only pay for what you throw away.

Learn more about local collectors and how it all works on our website at Rubbish and recycling.

Our tips and recycling centres, run by independent contractors, are in Otaihanga and Ōtaki. Find out more about them and what you can take there on our website at Transfer stations.

3. You’ll pay for only the water you use

Most houses on the Kāpiti Coast have water meters and pay based on how much water they use. Our water rates help maintain our water supply network, and keep our water use down. When water meters started in 2014 our water usage as a district dropped by 25 percent, and we haven’t had summer water restrictions since!

You’ll get a water rates invoice four times a year. Renters should check their tenancy agreement and talk with their property owner about who will pay the water charges.

Learn more on our website at Water rates.

4. Know when it’s safe to swim

Kāpiti has amazing swimming spots, from our public pools to our beaches and rivers.

At times in summer though we can have toxic algae in the water, and as water levels drop in warm weather the low flow might mean it’s not healthy or safe to swim. Make sure you always check the latest recreational water quality before heading out for a swim – and always wait 48 hours after rain.

5. Check where your dog can run free

Bringing your furry friend to Kāpiti, or planning to get a dog now you have more space? Check where dogs are allowed on beaches. Some areas are off-limits or require a leash; some people are afraid of dogs, and these rules mean everyone can enjoy our beaches together. Dog-friendly areas can change with the seasons, so check back on 1 December and at the end of daylight saving.

Dogs must stay at least 10 metres away from playgrounds, and off the playing surface of our sports fields – no one wants to fall into dog poop after a tackle!

Want to know more about exercise areas, registration, keeping more than two dogs, or anything else to do with our pup-ulation? Visit the Dogs section on our website.

6. Check your gutters and drains regularly

Many older homes in our beach suburbs use soak pits instead of being connected to the stormwater system. If your home has soak pits, keep your gutters and drains clear of debris like fallen leaves to prevent flooding. It’s a good idea to do this even if you are connected to the stormwater system!

Double check your gutters are clear before it rains. You can also check your property’s flooding risk in your LIM report.

Find out more about our stormwater maintenance and what you can do at Helping us help you.

7. Keep updated

Keen to keep up to date on what’s happening around Kāpiti? Sign up to our weekly Everything Kāpiti e-newsletter! You can also download our Antenno app to get updates on your favourite sportsgrounds and suburbs, and to report issues like fallen trees or graffiti to us.

Make sure you follow our Council Facebook page, too – making Council cool again!

There’s other ways we keep in touch – see our Stay informed page to check these out.