De Molen

A striking symbol of Dutch heritage rising proudly over Foxton, De Molen is a fully operational 17th-century-style windmill. With the mill still grinding New Zealand-grown grains into richly flavoured, stone-ground flour, the site is worth a visit whether you’re an avid baker, a lover of Dutch culture, or just keen to appreciate some timeless engineering in action.

Built largely from original Dutch plans, mostly from timber, this five-storey structure is a feat of craftsmanship and community spirit, born out of decades of dedication from locals and Dutch immigrants who dreamed of bringing a slice of the Netherlands to the Horowhenua plains. Watching its great sails turn in the wind, you can almost imagine yourself standing in a Dutch village centuries ago. Step inside and you’ll find the mill alive with the creak of timber and the hum of tradition. Visitors can take a self-guided wander or join a miller to see how the machinery works in harmony with the wind.

Each grain of flour produced here, whether rye, spelt, maize, or wholemeal, is the product of old-world engineering meeting local ingenuity. On the ground floor, the Dutch market store brims with heritage charm, stocked with traditional foods, wooden clogs, Delftware, and even the very flour milled above. Just across the park, Cafe De Molen completes the experience with a taste of Dutch-Kiwi hospitality. From plate-sized pannenkoeken and golden croquettes to hearty uitsmijters and fragrant apple strudel, everything is generous, flavour-packed, and made with the mill’s own flour for true ‘mill-to-plate’ dining.

The cafe’s blue-and-white decor, coupled with views of the windmill, makes it feel worlds away yet warmly familiar. Sitting on the terrace with a Foxton Fizz in hand, watching the sails turn against the sky, it’s easy to see why De Molen isn’t just a landmark, it’s the beating heart of Foxton’s cultural fabric.