About Pae Tū Mōkai, Featherston

Photo credit: Pete Monk | www.petemonk.com

Pae Tū Mōkai, Featherston, is known as the gateway to the Wairarapa because it is the first town you enter after passing over the Remutuka ranges from Wellington into the Wairarapa. It is located near three national parks and other attractions making it a popular choice for people who want to live in Wairarapa and be near nature.

The town has a population 2,760 people (June 2024) and is a popular choice for writers, artists, gardeners, nature lovers, commuters, and parents with young families. Main street features a number of bookstores and the BookTown Festival is held every May. There are other stores of interest, with antiques, specialty cheese and cafes.

Pae Tū Mōkai, Featherston is an Easy Commute

It is easy to commute to Wellington by train or by car (1 hour), since there have been a lot of improvements to the road over the Remutuka ranges over recent years making the drive much easier.

The Wairarapa train line is a comfortable and regular service between Masterton and Wellington CBD. The 2006 census found that 36% of employed Featherston residents worked in Wellington and the Hutt Valley. For comparison, the commute to Masterton takes 40 minutes by car and 45 minutes by train.

The Gateway to the Wairarapa

There are many natural attractions in the Wairarapa, including three national parks, Wairarapa Moana, Lake Wairarapa, the Tararuas. For activities such as fishing, surfing, birdwatching, and lots of cycling, tramping and walking tracks. It is a great location for nature lovers who want plenty to explore every weekend.