city, southern North Island, New Zealand. It is located about 13 miles (21 km) north of Wellington city, at the head of Porirua Harbour. The earliest inhabitants were aboriginal moa hunters in the 12th century. European whalers and traders occupied nearby Mana Island from 1832 to 1834, and in 1836 a permanent whaling station was built near Porirua. The city is now the site of a large vehicle-assembly plant, which opened in 1975. Other local industries produce clothing, chemicals, and electrical machinery. The city is connected by rail and a highway with Wellington, the national capital. Pop. (2001) 47,220.