Sand dunes, sandy beach and waves in the ocean at Foxton Beach.

Tucked between the Kāpiti Coast and Manawatū, just an hour north of Wellington, Horowhenua quietly blends coastal escapes with fertile farmland and foothills that rise towards the Tararua Ranges.

It’s home to towns like Levin and Foxton, and boasts long stretches of wild beach you might just have to yourself.

Scratch the surface and you’ll find vibrant makers, community-run markets and local flavours shaped by a region rich in horticulture. Whether you’re strolling dunes at sunset, diving into boutique stores, or discovering a new hidden favourite café, Horowhenua delivers the kind of surprises that make you want to stay a little longer. 

Gift Guide 2025: Neat Gifts from Neat Places in Aotearoa

Collage of all gifts featured in the Neat Places Gift Guide 2025
Welcome to the Neat Places Gift Guide 2025, packed with beautiful, practical, and interesting finds from local businesses across Aotearoa.

Horowhenua’s Harvest: Discover the District’s Food Producers

Baker rolling out dough in the kitchen at The Baked Dane.
Horowhenua

Blessed with fertile soils and optimal growing conditions, Horowhenua is one of New Zealand’s most underrated food-producing districts.

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De Molen

The windmill of De Molen next to a large tree.
Place Horowhenua
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A striking symbol of Dutch heritage rising proudly over Foxton, De Molen is a fully operational 17th-century-style windmill.

Manakau Market

Building exterior of Manakau Market.
Place Horowhenua
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Like a shining, burger and ice cream-filled oasis on this stretch of SH1, Manakau Market is a welcome sight for weary souls travelling through the Horowhenua district.

Lewis Farms

Large black signage outside the farmland of Lewis Farms.
Place Horowhenua
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Levin’s Lewis Farms is a place where generations of family care and innovation meet in a beautifully relaxed rural setting.

Firebird Cafe

Front counter and tables behind at Firebird Cafe.
Place Horowhenua
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There’s a certain spark about Firebird Cafe, the kind that catches as soon as you walk through the door and hear the hum of conversation, the hiss of the coffee...

Mewington’s Book Shoppe

Sofa area with bookshelves behind in Mewington's Book Shoppe.
Place Horowhenua

You should never judge a book by its cover, and neither should you judge a shop by its storefront.

Taper Eatery

Glass exterior doors to Taper Eatery.
Place Horowhenua
Cafes key icon.

Taper Eatery brings a sharp dose of city chic to little old Levin: think retro-urban decor, multi-textured walls, warm lighting, and banging tunes that push the energy a...

The Baked Dane

The exterior of the shop and factory of The Baked Dane.
Place Horowhenua
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There’s something undeniably cheerful about The Baked Dane, a space oozing hygge with a Kiwi twist.

Old Courthouse Eatery

Historic building exterior of Old Courthouse Eatery.
Place Horowhenua
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History meets hospitality at Old Courthouse Eatery, where one of Levin’s most storied buildings has been reimagined into a vibrant community hub.

Cambridge Lane

Customers sitting at tables in the dining room at Cambridge Lane.
Place Horowhenua
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A laid-back dining spot in Levin that brings the energy of a family BBQ (except it’s indoors!), Cambridge Lane is one of those homey eateries where good food meets...

Petal & Bee Grocers

Shop exterior with bright pink signage for Petal & Bee Grocers.
Place Horowhenua
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Set inside one of Foxton’s original buildings, Petal & Bee Grocers blends old-school charm with a fresh, contemporary ethos for a food shopping experience that...