Last updated May 2026
Mākara is a rural western Wellington suburb that sits well outside the city’s dense residential spread. Reached by winding roads through Karori or down through Ohariu Valley, it is a sparsely settled farming area with a small local community, a heritage church, and one of New Zealand’s most visible renewable energy installations. For many Wellingtonians, Mākara is primarily associated with the wind farm on its ridgelines — but the area also provides the main road access to Mākara Beach and the rugged Tasman coast beyond.
Practical Information
| Location | Rural western Wellington, west of Karori |
|---|---|
| Access | Via Makara Road from Karori, or Ohariu Valley Road from the north |
| Wind farm access | Public walking and biking tracks from 140 Opau Road, Mākara |
| Heritage site | St Patrick’s Church, Mākara — Heritage New Zealand listed |
| Beach access | Mākara Beach, approximately 16 km from central Wellington (~35 min) |
About Mākara
Mākara is a rural area with sparse development that has long attracted people seeking lifestyle land close to Wellington. The terrain is open hill country with wide views westward toward the Tasman Sea. The suburb’s distinctive character owes much to its position on the exposed ridgelines above the coast — terrain that made it attractive for a different kind of development: wind energy.
St Patrick’s Church at Mākara is one of the area’s oldest landmarks. Around 148 years old and listed by Heritage New Zealand, it is considered one of the oldest surviving wooden churches in the North Island — a modest timber building that predates the wind turbines by well over a century.
The West Wind Farm
The West Wind project, developed by Meridian Energy, is one of New Zealand’s largest wind farms. Construction began in September 2007 and was completed in late 2009, with 62 turbines rising 111 metres above the Mākara ridgelines across a 56-square-kilometre area including Quartz Hill and Terawhiti Station. The farm has a generation capacity of 143 MW.
Public access to the wind farm recreation area is available from 140 Opau Road, Mākara, with walking and biking tracks and a viewing platform looking across the turbines toward the coast. The Mākara Guardians, a local group formed in opposition to the original proposal, mounted a significant campaign during the consenting process — the tension between wind power and coastal landscape values was debated publicly and through the courts before resource consent was upheld in 2007.
Where to Learn More
Mākara on Wikipedia — suburb overview, history and community context.
West Wind — Meridian Energy — details on the West Wind wind farm, including capacity and generation information.
West Wind Recreation Area — TripAdvisor — visitor reviews of the public walking and viewing area.
FAQ
How do I get to Mākara from Wellington?
Take Karori Road west through Karori, then continue on Makara Road. The drive takes around 20–25 minutes from central Wellington. Ohariu Valley Road provides an alternative northern approach.
Can the public visit the West Wind wind farm?
Yes. There is public access from 140 Opau Road with walking and biking tracks and a viewing platform. No booking is required.
How many wind turbines are at Mākara?
The West Wind farm has 62 turbines, each 111 metres tall, generating up to 143 MW of electricity.
What is St Patrick’s Church at Mākara?
A heritage-listed wooden church around 148 years old, considered one of the oldest surviving wooden churches in the North Island and listed by Heritage New Zealand.
Is Mākara Beach in the same suburb as Mākara?
Mākara Beach is a separate locality at the end of Makara Road, about 16 km from central Wellington. The suburb of Mākara surrounds the rural inland area leading to the beach.
Mākara is part of the wider Wellington Suburbs guide. Karori is the main suburban centre to the east, and Mākara Beach at the end of Makara Road has its own guide covering the coastal walkway and beach access.
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