Camp Russell
Camp Russell was the last of the three Paekākāriki Camp sites built in 1942. It was home to 4,850 men from the 6th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division.
The site, or heritage precinct, is now a hub for Marines-related ceremonial activities and story-telling in Kāpiti. It links to Transmission Gully and SH59 and attractive walking and cycling tracks also provide links to Camps Mackay and Paekākāriki. Its near neighbours are the Tramways Museum and the Ramaroa Park Centre.
Named after New Zealand WWI hero, Major General Sir Andrew Russell, the site is now home to the U.S. Marines Memorial, a restored Marines hut with an exhibition inside it, the Sailors Memorial commemorating ten US sailors, who drowned off Whareroa Beach in 1943.
In 2012, Camp Russell hosted Salute 70 a very moving service, led by Sir Jerry Mateparae to mark the 70th Anniversary of U.S. Armed Forces encampment in New Zealand 1942-44.
