Waikanae (English: /ˌwaɪkəˈnaɪ/, Māori pronunciation: [ˈwaikaˈnaɛ]) is a town on the Kāpiti Coast, 60 km (37 mi) north of the Wellington, New Zealand.

Prior to human settlement the Waikanae coastal plain comprised wetlands divided by a complex pattern of natural waterways and kohekohe wooded regions.

The area surrounding the town is notable for its beach, the Waikanae River estuary and Kapiti Island, which lies 4 km (2.5 mi) offshore in the Tasman Sea.

The shallow depths of Waikanae Beach produces a higher water temperature than the steeper coastlines of Wellington harbour to the south.

The prevailing wind blows from the north-west, which drives rain-clouds inland to the ranges and results in high rainfalls during the winter and spring.

[8] Archaeological and ethnographical research suggests that Waikanae may have been first inhabited by the Waitaha moa-hunters as early as a thousand years ago.

[9] Successive waves of settlement by the Ngāti Apa, Rangitāne and Muaūpoko Iwi (tribal groups) ensured that the area continues to have major historic and mythological significance for the Māori people of New Zealand.

In 1824 Waikanae Beach was the embarkation point for a force of 2,000 to 3,000 fighters from coastal Iwi, who assembled with the intention of taking Kapiti Island from the Ngāti Toa led by Te Rauparaha.

Crossing the strait in a fleet of waka canoes under shelter of darkness, the attackers were met and destroyed as they disembarked at the northern end of Kapiti Island.

It preserves the largest remnant of coastal lowland swamp forest on the Kāpiti Coast, and is a popular visitor attraction.

[19] To the east of Waikanae is the heavily forested 330 ha (820 acres) Hemi Matenga Reserve covering a range overlooking the town itself.

Rising to 514 metres above sea level, the forest comprises one of the most extensive areas of kohekohe woodland left in New Zealand.

[23] It was forecast in 2012 that Waikanae's relative abundance of unoccupied land and recent or pending improvements in transport links will lead to a population increase to about 15,000 by 2032.

The central Waikanae village includes two supermarkets, the Toi Mahara gallery,[31] three bank branches,[32] a health centre, three pharmacies, a post shop, a war memorial hall, a smaller community hall, the Kapiti Coast Museum,[33] a church, a public library, a cinema and a number of other shops, restaurants, and businesses.

There are two primary schools (see below), a golf course, bowling club, Waikanae Park rugby and cricket ground, and several retirement centres.

[37] Development of numerous private gardens has led at one point to Waikanae having one of the highest levels of water consumption per head of population in New Zealand.

The community draws its water from the single source of the Waikanae River, and seasonal shortages during the warmer months of the year constitute a growing problem for the area.