Kai Tahi

Cafes key icon.
Cafes key icon.

Monday7:15 am – 9:00 pm.

Tuesday7:15 am – 9:00 pm.

Wednesday7:15 am – 9:00 pm.

Thursday7:15 am – 9:00 pm.

Friday7:15 am – 9:00 pm.

Saturday7:15 am – 9:00 pm.

Sunday7:15 am – 9:00 pm.

20 Parumoana Street, Porirua City Centre, Porirua

Porirua is well-known as a proud harbour city, with its glistening waters an indelible part of its social and aesthetic identity. Kai Tahi, an ambitious food, retail, and community precinct, aims to celebrate these connections and take them to the next level.

Forged out of a former factory, Kai Tahi is unlike anything New Zealand’s youngest city has seen before. The ground floor market hall is spacious and busy without being overwhelming, guiding visitors through a range of eateries and retail outlets, with plenty of seating for the whole family. Step out into the foyer and marvel at not only the sprawling translucent roof that brings in plenty of natural light, but also the impressive ceiling-to-floor Michel Tuffery murals that lend the place a real sense of texture. Up the stairs is a handy mezzanine floor with even more seating, so you can people-watch from all sorts of angles, or simply head out the door to the foreshore and tuck into your takeaways on the water’s edge.

Its name means ‘eat together’, and Kai Tahi certainly invites plenty of that to happen within its many spaces. A microcosm of the cultural diversity of Porirua, the precinct houses eateries inspired from all corners of the globe, from the Indian meals at New Paradise to the Korean fried chicken at ChickenMan. You’ll find some iconic Wellington food brands too - Get Fixed Bicycle Cafe has set up shop here, as has the unmissable Zelati for all your dessert cravings. If you’re bringing a furry friend, they need not miss out, as 4 Paws Empire stocks plenty of treats and accessories for your dog.

Sitting on perhaps one of the best spots in Porirua, Kai Tahi links the heart of the city with the foreshore and the hills, with local institutions such as Pātaka Art + Museum, Porirua Library, and Te Rauparaha Arena barely a short walk away. And crucially, it’s a perfect embodiment of the notion that food is often the best way to bring communities together.

Words by John Son & Photography by Anna Briggs and Supplied

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

20 Parumoana Street, Porirua City Centre, Porirua

Nearby Places

IndoKiwi Dhaba

A hand holding deep fried Indian food on a plate.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

If there’s anything better than an Indian restaurant, it’s one with an Indian grocery conveniently attached to it.

Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen

Dining area at Tuk Tuk Thai.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

Aside from serving excellent food, Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen has one clear goal: to make customers feel like they’re in Thailand, without having to leave Porirua.

The Karaage Kid

The side of The Karaage Kid shipping container.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

A plucky little outfit that packs plenty of punch, The Karaage Kid—brought to you by the team behind Dirty Burger—is out to serve a hearty dose of Asian fusion...

Panikeke

The colourful interior of Panikeke in Porirua.
Place Porirua
Fashion key icon.

Bringing a vibrant splash of Pacific colour to Porirua, Panikeke is a lively little gift shop that aims to highlight and celebrate the local Pasifika community.

Similar Places

The Cake Cafe Plimmerton

A staff member holding a large cake on a cake platter.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

Baked goods and beaches are two of the best things about Wellington, and you can find both in close proximity in a cosy corner of Plimmerton.

Tunapo Escape

The Tunapo Escape accommodation on a sunny day.
Place Porirua
Accommodation key icon.

Located just 35 minutes from central Wellington atop the picturesque Paekākāriki Hill, Tunapo Escape is a tiny house getaway that provides an escape in every sense of the word.

Little City Kombucha

A drinks fridge of with a black and white Little City Kombucha label.
Place Porirua
Bars key icon.

For a brand that’s all about minimising its impact on the environment, Little City Kombucha is certainly making a splash from its very own slice of Porirua.

Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen

Dining area at Tuk Tuk Thai.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

Aside from serving excellent food, Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen has one clear goal: to make customers feel like they’re in Thailand, without having to leave Porirua.