Manakau Agricultural Airstrip Built around the 1960s, Manakau Agricultural Airstrip was established to support the surrounding farms with aerial topdressing and crop spraying. The small grass strip became a useful base for agricultural aircraft operating across the Ōtaki and Kāpiti region. It was never a public airport, instead serving local farmers and agricultural aviation operators. Over the years, changing farming practices and the growing use of helicopters reduced activity at the strip. Today, it remains a quiet reminder of New Zealand's agricultural aviation heritage.