Last updated July 2026
Horokiwi is an outer northern suburb of Wellington that sits in the hills between the city and the Hutt Valley. The area is semi-rural with a small population spread across hill country and reached by a single road. It covers 7.26 square kilometres and recorded 183 residents in the 2023 census living in 72 dwellings. The suburb features houses, farms and the longstanding Horokiwi Quarry as its main commercial operation. Its quiet character and older median age reflect a settled rural lifestyle within easy reach of urban centres.
Practical Information
| Location | Outer northern Wellington, between the city and Lower Hutt |
| Access | Via Horokiwi Road, which branches off the Petone–Wellington motorway (SH2); single road access only |
| Population | 183 (2023 census), 72 dwellings |
| Area | 7.26 km² |
| Schools | No local school; primary zoning is for Korokoro School; most children attend schools in Lower Hutt |
| Median age | 50.7 years (compared with 38.1 nationally) |
About Horokiwi
Horokiwi sits in the hills north of Wellington and is reached solely by Horokiwi Road, which climbs from the Petone–Wellington motorway and winds into the valley. There is no other access point. The suburb is semi-rural, with houses and farms spread across the hillsides, and the main commercial feature is Horokiwi Quarry, which has operated since the 1920s extracting greywacke rock.
The Horokiwi and Korokoro area has a longer history as a travel corridor. Māori used routes through this terrain to move between the Hutt Valley and Porirua, following natural landforms. European settlers in the early 19th century also travelled on well-used old Māori tracks in the district. That passage-like quality still defines the area today.
With a median age of 50.7 years against the national figure of 38.1, Horokiwi’s population skews noticeably older. The 2023 census recorded 96 males and 84 females, with most residents identifying as European and smaller proportions identifying as Māori or Asian. The median income was $68,200, higher than the national median.
The only access to Horokiwi is via Horokiwi Road, which runs for approximately 6.5 km and eventually reaches Belmont Regional Park. Since 2010 the road has been accessible only from the northbound lane of State Highway 2, creating detours for some residents. The road offers scenic views of Lower Hutt, Wellington Harbour and northern suburbs such as Tawa and Grenada North.
Where to Learn More
Horokiwi on Wikipedia: detailed background on geography, history, demographics and access.
Horokiwi Quarries: information on the quarry’s operations and aggregates supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Horokiwi?
Horokiwi is an outer northern suburb of Wellington in the hills between the city and Lower Hutt, accessed via Horokiwi Road off the Petone–Wellington motorway.
Is there only one road into Horokiwi?
Yes. Horokiwi Road is the only access to the suburb, climbing off the motorway into the valley. Since 2010 it has been accessible only from the northbound lane of State Highway 2.
Are there schools in Horokiwi?
There are no schools in Horokiwi. The suburb is zoned for Korokoro School, and most children attend schools in the Lower Hutt area.
What is the Horokiwi Quarry?
Horokiwi Quarry is the main commercial operation in the area. It is an open-cast hard rock quarry extracting and processing greywacke that has operated since the 1920s.
How small is Horokiwi?
The 2023 census recorded 183 residents across 72 dwellings, making it one of Wellington’s smallest and most sparsely settled suburbs by population.
What is the median age in Horokiwi?
The median age was 50.7 years in the 2023 census, compared with 38.1 years nationally.
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