Porirua
Porirua [1] is a city in the Wellington urban area at the south end of the North Island of New Zealand. The central business district is about 20km north of Wellington. Population about 50,000, the central business district is near the southern boundary, south-west of the less picturesque of the two landlocked arms of the Porirua Harbour. ContentsGet in[edit]By car[edit]
By train[edit]Catch a suburban unit on the Kapiti (formerly Paraparaumu) line from Wellington railway station. Units leave about every half hour. There are express units at peak times, so check the stations that the unit stops at before boarding. All stop at Porirua, but not all go further, and for some the next stop is Plimmerton. Or from Waikanae, Paraparaumu or Paekakariki stations in the north, not quite as frequent. At Porirua the main shopping centre is just across the stream from the main railway station, and buses depart for numerous suburbs. Other stations are Kenepuru in the south (within walking distance of the Kenepuru Hospital and parts of Linden), then north from the city centre in order Paremata (where buses leave for Whitby), Mana, Plimmerton, and Pukerua Bay. Suburban trains carry bicycles (in the compartment at the south end of each pair of units) for an extra adult fare. Wheelchair travel is OK, with train crew happy to get the ramp in place and help you in and out (also at the south end of each pair of units). By bus[edit]Interprovincial buses generally stop at Plimmerton, Paremata, and central Porirua. Bus service 210 connects Porirua with Tawa and Johnsonville Bus service 211 connects Porirua with Wellington City Bus service N6 is the after midnight service connecting Porirua and Plimmerton from central Wellington on Friday and Saturday nights at 1AM, 2AM and 3AM. The one-way fare is $10 Get around[edit]From 15 July 2018, Metlink will be running the bus system in the Wellington region. Snapper cards will be the only bus cards accepted on all Metlink buses, though you can also pay with cash or a SuperGold card. See[edit][add listing]
Do[edit][add listing]
Learn[edit]Fast-growing tertiary institution, Whitireia Polytechnic, has headquarters just north of central business district and several campuses in other cities. Buy[edit][add listing]A major attraction of central Porirua is its shops and mall, with the 12-storey Wrightson Building (linking with New Zealand's earliest pastoral service companies) overlooking most. Saturday morning early-birds may pick up fresh cheap produce at the central city open-air market. Eat[edit][add listing]The usual bakeries, fast-food restaurants, dairies (convencience stores), fish & chip shops and Chinese takeaways can be found scattered around the city. The North City Mall (opposite Porirua train station) has a large foodcourt with the usual Asian and fast-food. There are 3 major supermarkets - New World is a little pricey but has the highest quality products - located at North City Mall opposite the train statoin. There are cheaper Countdown and Pak'n'Save supermarkets about 5 minutes walk to the north. The only 24-hour stores to pick up late night snacks/pies/cigarettes etc are the small convenience stores attached to gas stations around the city. Note that these stores do not sell alcohol although nearby liquor stores will also open late. Drink[edit][add listing]Nightlife and bars in Porirua are almost non-existant - most Poriruaites will head to downtown Wellington on Friday and Saturday nights - if you stay out late enough it's possible to return to Porirua at around 5AM when the first trains start running in the morning, alternatively a night-bus (N6) runs hourly between midnight and 4AM from Courtney Place to Porirua (continuing to Plimmerton) - one way $10. There are a handful of small bars (known as 'Taverns') close to the North City shopping mall however they lack atmosphere and can become very rowdy so therefore should be avoided. Sleep[edit][add listing]You cannot taste all the city's delights in one day, so a motel or the beachfront Moana Lodge World Traveller Accommodation (20 min walk from Plimmerton railway station) may appeal, or one of several bed-and-breakfast establishments. Stay safe[edit]Porirua has a reputation amongst many Wellingtonians as being unsafe because it is one of the Wellington regions 'lower' socio-economic zones. Though that much may be exaggerated by locals, it does have a higher crime rate than the rest of the Wellington region. Apply usual safety rules when you are not in controlled areas: no flashing valuables or wearing expensive clothing. A tourist's biggest risk is having personal belongings stolen, by use of some form of violence. Special precautions should also be taken in Porirua's eastern suburbs (Cannons Creak, Elsdon and Ascot Park). Get out[edit]
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