Peka Peka

Peka Peka
Peka Peka Beach, looking north
Peka Peka Beach, looking north
Map
Coordinates: 40°49′58″S 175°03′29″E / 40.8327°S 175.0581°E / -40.8327; 175.0581
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWellington Region
Territorial authorityKāpiti Coast District
WardWaikanae Ward
CommunityWaikanae Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityKāpiti Coast District Council
 • Regional councilGreater Wellington Regional Council
 • Kāpiti Coast MayorJanet Holborow
 • Ōtaki MPTim Costley
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer
Area
 • Total
10.02 km2 (3.87 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
710
 • Density71/km2 (180/sq mi)

Peka Peka, sometimes spelled Pekapeka, is a seaside locality[3] on the Kāpiti Coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located just off State Highway 1 and the North Island Main Trunk railway between Waikanae and Te Horo.

Peka Peka was briefly internationally famous when a young emperor penguin, nicknamed Happy Feet,[4] appeared on Peka Peka beach on 21 June 2011.[5] Emperor penguins are usually only found in the Antarctic.[6]

Peka Peka Beach is a clothing-optional beach by custom.[7] New Zealand has no official nude beaches, as public nudity is legal on any beach where it is "known to occur".[8]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Place name detail: 20 May 2021". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board.
  4. ^ "New Zealand penguin Happy Feet may have been eaten". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Kapiti's rare visit from emperor penguin". The Dominion Post Wellington. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  6. ^ "Emperor penguin from Antarctic visits New Zealand beach". BBC News Asia Pacific. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  7. ^ "Wellington Region". Free Beaches NZ Inc. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  8. ^ Ceramalus v Police, AP No 76/91 (High Court of New Zealand 5 July 1991).