I know some people were unable to get to Kapiti Island as planned, due to a run of rather bad weather, so I'm posting my photos. I was able to stay overnight at the Lodge at the North End, and also visited the Rangatira (Nature Reserve). No photos of the little spotted Kiwi, which Minnie found with in about 5 minutes, but there are a lot of Takahe pics.

For anyone considering the overnight, it's really wonderful. Rates include three meals, and for us freshly caught snapper (yum), lemon fish, paua fritters, a good salad, and pavlova. The rooms are simple, bunk style with shared bath. It's all about the location.

Details here
http://www.kapitiislandalive.co.nz/the%20lodge.html

I spent the prior day at Paraparaumu Beach, at the Barnacles YHA (private room). I had taken the train and bus from Wellington, and the Barnacles is a short walk to both the boat launch and to the famous links course, Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club. Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club has friendly members and a casual atmosphere but is quite a challenge in the wind. The evening of my stay I had a satisfactory dinner at The Office Restaurant (Nelson Scallops).

Barnacles is supposed to be haunted!~ Lucky for me the ghost calmed down the gale force winds that rattled the building all night long. I had to call at 7 am to see if the launch was running, and it was...to everyone's amazement. I was on the second boat, leaving at 9:30 am to the Rangatira end. I took an hour long guided tour (but probably unnecessary), walked only partway up the Trig trail to the beginning of the steps (just far enough to see a Hihi, one of NZ's rarest birds), then returned to go partway up the easier Trig trail. While waiting for the afternoon pickup, great sightings of a pair of Takahe with a fluffy black chick on the flats! Birdwatching at the Lodge's north end was also excellent, especially before breakfast and on our hour-plus night time ramble.

Photos here

http://picasaweb.google.com/kiwifann/ParaparumuBeachAndKapitiIsland#