Te Huarahi Mai
Māoriland Film Festival is held in Ōtaki, which is nestled between the Tararua Ranges and Tasman Sea with views towards Kāpiti Island.
This vibrant town, deeply rooted in Māori heritage, is a unique community where filmmakers and visitors alike can appreciate the distinct environmental and cultural elements.
Ōtaki is located on State Highway One, an hour’s drive north of Aotearoa’s capital city, Wellington.
Kāpiti Coast Airport
25 km from Ōtaki
(24 min drive time)
Airline
How to get to Ōtaki
Palmerston North Airport
75 km from Ōtaki
(1 hour 4 min drive time)
Airlines
How to get to Ōtaki
The Capital Connection runs Mon-Friday departing Wellington to Ōtaki at 5.15 pm. Stay overnight and return to Wellington on the train leaving Ōtaki at 7.13 am.
The Kāpiti Line runs every half hour to and from Wellington. The service arrives and departs from Waikanae, 15 minutes south of Ōtaki.
There are also buses along the train route. Connecting from Waikanae, the 290 bus will bring you to Ōtaki. The bus leaves Waikanae for Ōtaki’s Main St five times daily. This bus returns to Waikanae.
Intercity buses provide transport from Palmerston North and Wellington.
Check the timetable links below for more information.
Wellington Airport
82 km from Ōtaki
(1 hour 12 min drive time)
Airlines
How to get to Ōtaki
By Public Transport
Travellers from Wellington may consider catching the train to Waikanae. This one-hour trip offers stunning views along the Kāpiti Coast. Sit on the left-hand side of the train heading North for the best views out to Kāpiti Island.
or
Māoriland Film Festival takes place on Main Street, Ōtaki.
Please be aware – Ōtaki does not have Uber or Lyft.
To get around Ōtaki – catch the local 290 bus – timetable here
If you’d like your own autonomy during the festival, we highly recommend renting a vehicle.