Last updated October 2026
Cannons Creek is a residential suburb of Porirua City, lying in eastern Porirua roughly 18 to 22 kilometres north of central Wellington. Named after a creek linked to early settler William Cannon, it sits amid parks, reserves and rolling hills that connect toward Belmont Regional Park.
The suburb grew from farmland into a planned housing area and remains a busy community hub with local schools, shops and sports grounds. Visitors and prospective residents find a mix of everyday amenities, green corridors and ongoing neighbourhood renewal. It forms part of the wider eastern Porirua area served by Porirua City Council.
Practical Information
- Ward or local board
- Onepoto General Ward; Porirua Māori Ward
- Getting there
- Main access via Warspite Avenue and Champion Street; Metlink buses including routes 220 and 226 serve Cannons Creek shops; Kapiti Line trains stop at Porirua Station (short bus or longer walk)
- Main shopping
- Cannons Creek shops and town centre on Champion Street
- Schools
- Cannons Creek School, Glenview School, Maraeroa School, Russell School, Windley School, Holy Family School (Catholic), Brandon Intermediate, Porirua College
- Nearby landmarks
- Cannons Creek Park, Bothamley Park, Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve, Belmont Regional Park
About Cannons Creek
Cannons Creek takes its name from the creek that flows off Cannons Head, itself named for William Cannon, an early settler. The area was originally farmland. Housing development began gradually from the 1930s and expanded significantly in the 1950s as Porirua grew. Many street names draw on ships, English counties and Greek mythology, giving the suburb a distinctive local flavour.
Today Cannons Creek sits in the heart of eastern Porirua, bordered by Waitangirua to the north, Rānui to the west and open space toward Takapu Valley and Belmont Regional Park. It is a predominantly residential suburb with a strong community character, local primary and intermediate schools, and a secondary college. The Cannons Creek shops on Champion Street form the everyday commercial centre.
Green space is a defining feature. Cannons Creek Park provides sports fields and recreation, with connections into Bothamley Park and the stream corridor that links toward the Kenepuru Stream and Porirua Harbour catchment.
Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve and nearby reserves add further outdoor options. The suburb is part of the broader Te Rā Nui eastern Porirua regeneration work, which includes housing renewal, park upgrades and stormwater improvements such as wetland development at Cannons Creek Park.
Community facilities include a library (with a new building planned near Cannons Creek Pool on Bedford Reserve) and sports venues. The suburb offers a practical base for people working or studying in Porirua or commuting toward Wellington, while retaining a neighbourhood scale and access to hills and parks.
Getting Around
Warspite Avenue and Champion Street are the main local roads. Metlink bus services, including the 220 (Titahi Bay–Porirua–Ascot Park) and 226, stop at or near the Cannons Creek shops on Champion Street, linking to Porirua city centre and other eastern suburbs.
Porirua Station on the Kapiti Line (KPL) is the nearest train stop; from there buses or a longer walk reach the suburb. Driving from Wellington typically follows State Highway 1 then local routes into eastern Porirua. Parking is available at the shops and park reserves.
Getting Outdoors
Cannons Creek Park is the main sports and recreation reserve, used for field sports, athletics and community events, with links into Bothamley Park. Bothamley Park follows the stream valley and provides walking connections and ecological value as a key native ecosystem area.
Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve and other local parks add open space, while Belmont Regional Park lies immediately to the east for longer walks and hill country. Ongoing park and wetland works aim to improve paths, drainage, planting and water quality in the catchment.
History and Heritage
Before suburban development the land was farmed. The creek and surrounding hills formed part of the wider Porirua landscape used for resources and access. European settlement and later state and private housing transformed the area from the mid-twentieth century.
The shopping centre began taking shape around 1960 with an initial cluster of shops and a post office. Street naming conventions and the layout of reserves reflect the planned character of the post-war suburb. Archaeological and historical assessments linked to recent infrastructure work note earlier sawmilling, roads and stream use in the Bothamley Park corridor.
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia: Cannons Creek, New Zealand: Overview of location, name origin, history and schools with cited sources.
Porirua City Council: Cannons Creek Park: Official reserve details, values, recreation use and management outcomes.
Porirua City Council: City projects: Updates on Cannons Creek library, park works and related eastern Porirua projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cannons Creek?
Cannons Creek is a suburb of Porirua City in eastern Porirua, about 18 to 22 kilometres north of central Wellington.
Is Cannons Creek part of Wellington City?
No. It is within Porirua City Council boundaries. It is often grouped with Porirua suburbs for visitors coming from Wellington.
How do I get to Cannons Creek by public transport?
Metlink buses including routes 220 and 226 stop at the Cannons Creek shops on Champion Street. The nearest train station is Porirua on the Kapiti Line; connect by bus from there.
What schools are in Cannons Creek?
Primary options include Cannons Creek School, Glenview School, Maraeroa School, Russell School, Windley School and Holy Family School. Brandon Intermediate and Porirua College also serve the area.
Where is the main shopping area?
The Cannons Creek shops and town centre are centred on Champion Street, with everyday retail and services.
What parks are nearby?
Cannons Creek Park, Bothamley Park and Cannons Creek Lakes Reserve are local. Belmont Regional Park borders the eastern side for longer outdoor trips.
What does the name Cannons Creek mean?
It comes from the creek flowing off Cannons Head, named after early settler William Cannon.
Is there a library or pool in Cannons Creek?
Yes. There is a local library and Cannons Creek Pool area on or near Bedford Reserve; a new library building is planned for that vicinity.
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