There are no boat wharves along the Kapiti Coast, so surf launching with this setup is the norm.

It is such a common practice that it shows up in children's coloring books.

Here is the system used as play ground equipment.

Even with the tongue extension on the trailer, the tractor needs to be lifted because of the surf.

Arriving at Kapiti Is., the boat is run up on the beach and a bow gangway extended. It is a slick system.

Most people go to Kapiti for the bird watching. A NZ sanctuary since 1897, the non-native animals (rats, sheep, stoats, etc.) were only recently eradicated. Native bird life is returning.

Getting rid of the non-native predators allowed the return of some of the flightless birds like kiwi, weka and takahe. This is a takahe at our cabin. They are vegetarian and help keep the lawn mowed.

It wasn't really necessary to be sneaky on the trails because the birds were "naive," as they call animals that are not routinely hunted.

The native pigeon.

The moreporc, New Zealand's little native owl.

The kakariki (red crowned parakeet). One tried to land on me.

The kaka. A parrot that generally eats flowers, but this one was really interested in our lunch. Don't feed the birds. It is illegal. Plus, you will quickly create an Alfred Hitchcock movie set.

Tropical cyclone Gita came through two days earlier, bringing lots of new stuff for beachcombers.

This fiddle head was more impressive in person. It was the size of a baseball.

Our cabin. No electricity. No water. No heat. No worries.

Sunrise from the porch.

Time to go. The once-a-day ferry arrival has a supply/social feeling. Three Maori families still live on the island and provide guide and cooking services.