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.
48 Hours Horowhenua
Horowhenua is one of those places that rewards the curious traveller. Dig a little below the unassuming surface, and you’ll find this stretch of countryside and coast packs creative energy, local flavour, and a striking balance between the rural and the contemporary. From boutique stays and bustling markets to lakeside walks and artisan eats, here’s how to spend a memorable 48 hours exploring the best of this region.
Horowhenua’s Harvest: Discover the District’s Food Producers
Blessed with fertile soils and optimal growing conditions, Horowhenua is one of New Zealand’s most underrated food-producing districts.
The Neatest Things To Do in Foxton
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View AllMewington’s Book Shoppe
You should never judge a book by its cover, and neither should you judge a shop by its storefront.
Manakau Market
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.
Firebird Cafe
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...
Ōhau Wines
There’s a certain charm about discovering a place that’s rewriting the rules, and Ōhau Wines in the Horowhenua is doing exactly that.
Taper Eatery
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...
Cambridge Lane
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...
De Molen
A striking symbol of Dutch heritage rising proudly over Foxton, De Molen is a fully operational 17th-century-style windmill.
Petal & Bee Grocers
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...
Old Courthouse Eatery
History meets hospitality at Old Courthouse Eatery, where one of Levin’s most storied buildings has been reimagined into a vibrant community hub.
The Baked Dane
There’s something undeniably cheerful about The Baked Dane, a space oozing hygge with a Kiwi twist.
Lewis Farms
Levin’s Lewis Farms is a place where generations of family care and innovation meet in a beautifully relaxed rural setting.
Tatum
Tatum, located in the small township of Manakau in the Horowhenua, is the kind of place that makes any occasion feel like a significant one.
