Paraparaumu

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Paraparaumu is a town in the south-western North Island of New Zealand. It lies in the Kapiti Coast, 50 km north of the nation's capital city, Wellington. (Commonly abbreviated to "Para-PAram" by longer-term, particularly white residents of European ethnicity and simply "Pram" by local youth; "Para-para-OO-moo" is closer to the native Maori pronunciation.)

Like other towns in the area, it has a partner settlement at the coast called Paraparaumu Beach, which lies directly opposite Kapiti Island. The two towns form part of the Kapiti Coast District. Together with the nearby Raumati Beach and Raumati South they are among the fastest-growing urban areas in New Zealand, and are major dormitory towns with workers commuting to the cities that make up the Wellington urban area. The four towns between them have a population in excess of 22,000.[1] Inland behind Paraparaumu is the Maungakotukutuku area.

Paraparaumu is home to the Kapiti Coast's largest secondary school, Paraparaumu College, with Kapiti College residing in nearby Raumati Beach and Otaki College in Otaki.

Paraparaumu was formerly represented in soccer by Paraparaumu United. They merged with the Kapiti Hearts in 2003 to create Kapiti Coast United, which is based at Weka Park in Raumati.

[edit] Born in Paraparaumu

Wayne McIndoe - Field Hockey Player
Andrew Niccol - Film Director
Christian Cullen - All Black
Stephen Kearney - Rugby League Player

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