Waikanae Railway Station

Story

Waikanae Railway Station in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast, New Zealand is the terminal station on the Kapiti Line for Metlink's electric multiple unit commuter trains from Wellington. The railway is part of the North Island Main Trunk line that connects Wellington and Auckland.ServicesThe following Metlink bus routes serve Waikanae station: 280: Waikanae Beach 290: Otaki Beach 285: Kapiti Commuter service to Wellington (commercially operated)HistoryThe station was opened in 1886, and was on the Wellington-Manawatu Line from Wellington to Longburn built by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR). The section was opened on 3 November 1886 at Otaihanga. The railway has been part of the North Island Main Trunk (connecting Wellington and Auckland) since 1908.The Wellington suburban electrified commuter service was extended from Paraparaumu to Waikanae on 20 February 2011. The new service was opened with ceremony on 19 February at Waikanae. Minister of Transport Steven Joyce and Otaki MP Nathan Guy drove the last spike. Guy's great-grandfather was chairman of the WMR when the last spike was driven in 1886. The ceremony was marked by protests against the proposed Kapiti Expressway, and Otaki-based list MP Darren Hughes was cheered for his opposition to the project in favour of rail investment.