Although outside of the Waikanae area, the same thing could potentially happen in the parking areas for the hiking trails that begin in Waikanae/Reikorangi.

From the Kapiti Youth Support Facebook page.  Just awful.

Otaki

On Tuesday this week our Stepping Stones girls group went out for what was supposed to be a great day of outdoors adventure, fresh air, good times and learnings at Otaki Forks… instead, while they were out walking the KYS van was broken into and all the girls gear was stolen — including their phones, laptops and school uniforms.
We are enormously frustrated by the inconvenience and cost this incident has created, and really feel for all those girls who have been affected by this.
If you know or hear anything about this incident, please get in touch with Christina Frantik at KYS on 049059597.