Foxton - time to see what all the fizz is about

It’s a century old you know, that fizz.  As it says of itself, it’s a part of many great kiwi memories.  And with so much soda of an international scale nowadays, finding yourself in a town with a continuing soda brand is quite a thing...  

So you’re in Foxton, spotting the famous Foxton Fizz signs, in the North Island’s lower west coast, just a little inland.  You’ll pull in off the main state highway to find all that’s on offer, and then you’ll see a little more of this lovely spot’s international connections.

The windmill...

Yes, the windmill is a clue.  Foxton has many families descending from Dutch heritage.  And here’s a full size, operational, 17th century replica Dutch windmill, De Molen, that mills flour using millstones in the traditional manner.  With Dutch eateries nearby too…

So there’s time to check out the impressive windmill, which sits right alongside Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom.  Here’s an equally impressive community space, its name signifies the new stream, and references the stream that flows underneath the building.  A uniting of the Dutch language and Te Reo, and housing a Māori and Dutch museum, there’s a melding together right here of two different cultures…  all part of what makes New Zealand such a wonderful place.  Because, of course, remember these two cultures likely first came together in New Zealand, don’t forget the now famous encounter circa 1642 of Abel Tasman with Māori at Golden Bay…

Also just up the road there’s a lovely local food store, and another excellent local eatery.  Yes, here’s another bountiful New Zealand town.

Pride of the Horowhenua, and birth place of the Manawatu

Foxton, named after Sir William Fox, New Zealand’s second pākehā premier, was first named Te Awahou.  It’s now the oldest continuing European settlement in the region… and so birthplace of the Manawatu.  

It’s also a town that sprung up from early flax booms...  New Zealand’s flax fibre was exported from here.  (So it’s seems fitting that Foxton’s original Māori name - Te Awahou -  also lends itself to refer to a short bladed native flax variety, well known for its strong quality fibre.) 

Then off to the beach…

Looking for one more good thing to do around these parts?  

You’re not far from the sea.  Foxton Beach is a short distance away, a gorgeous long white sand beach going as far as the eye can see.  And there’s the chance to sit and gaze out to Kapiti Island too.  Perhaps with a picnic after you’ve onboarded some excellent local baking…

To the makeshift kitchen

Back at base, and inspired by this interesting region...  there’s the fizz, of course.  You can’t visit Foxton without checking out what all the fizz is about!  And a Foxton Fizz spider...  so click here for the classic ice cream sundae idea, a super easy treat.  

And more inspiration from that lovely local food store, selling local spirulina, grown in waters nearby in Himatangi...  adding this fabulous local find to season cracker toppings, here’s our spirulina seasoning idea. A very simple way to boost your greens on the road!

Your road trip companion...

To find more on The FoodPath NZ’s handpicked eateries and food producers, for our collection of spot on New Zealand food moments to check out on your next New Zealand trip, including Foxton treasures, download The FoodPath NZ’s guide (for mobile) here.