De Molen is a fully operational, authentic replica of a 17th-century Dutch flour windmill standing proudly in Foxton. Powered by local coastal winds, the working mill grinds stone-ground wholemeal and specialty flours on site just as mills have done for centuries in the Netherlands.
Administered by the not-for-profit Foxton Windmill Trust Inc within Te Awahou Cultural Park, De Molen is both a living heritage landmark and a vibrant community destination. Visitors can explore the mill on tours, discover traditional milling methods, and take home freshly milled flours.
Alongside the working windmill, visitors will find Café De Molen and an extensive Dutch market shop. The shop and café offer an authentic taste of the Netherlands, carrying everything from imported Dutch groceries, salty licorice, and speculaas to traditional souvenirs like clogs, Delft-style crockery, and wooden tulips.
Rising gracefully above the flat plains of Foxton, De Molen is one of New Zealand’s most remarkable community achievements. It is not merely a decorative landmark, but a full-scale, fully operational replica of a 17th-century Dutch flour mill. Powered entirely by the steady coastal winds moving across the Horowhenua, its monumental sails turn heavy millstones to grind grains the traditional way.
Located within Te Awahou Cultural Park on Main Street, De Molen offers travellers and locals a rare look into classical timber engineering, authentic Dutch heritage, and artisanal food production. Whether stopping on a road trip along State Highway 1 or making a planned visit to explore local history, it provides a warm European welcome.
The story of De Molen began in 1987 with two Dutch immigrants who settled in Foxton, Jan Langen and Dirk van Til. Looking out over the lush, flat, water-surrounded pastures of the area, they were struck by how much Foxton mirrored the landscape of the Netherlands. The open terrain enjoyed an abundance of wind; the only missing piece was an authentic windmill.
Although Dirk later relocated to Australia, Jan stayed on, determined to see the bold project through to completion. With approvals from the Foxton Community Board and Horowhenua District Council, blueprints and technical specifications were secured directly from the Netherlands in 1988. The million-dollar dream gained genuine momentum when master builder Cor Slobbe joined the project in 1997 as construction manager. Together with passionate volunteers and donors, the community saw the windmill officially opened on 13 April 2003 under the administration of the Foxton Windmill Trust Inc.
Inside the windmill, visitors can watch the traditional machinery at work and book guided tours to climb up and inspect the inner mechanisms. The mill grinds a range of grains, producing genuine stone-ground wholemeal, organic flours, rye, triticale, and maizemeal that home bakers travel from across the region to purchase.
Surrounding the mill is a bustling Dutch market where everything is, as the locals say, *lekker*. Shelves are packed with imported Dutch groceries that can be difficult to find elsewhere in New Zealand. From savoury and sweet licorice varieties like dubbel zout, coin drops, and salmiak pastilles to breakfast toppings, speculaas cookies, and specialty seasonings, it provides an authentic taste of home for expats and a feast of discovery for curious food lovers. Traditional wooden clogs, clog slippers, Delft-style crockery, and wooden tulips complete the collection.
No stop at De Molen is complete without spending time at Café De Molen, situated right by the windmill. It operates seven days a week from morning through mid-afternoon, giving visitors a cosy spot to relax over a hot drink or hearty meal after exploring the tower. Whether you are stocking your pantry with stone-ground flour, hunting for salty Dutch drop, or marvelling at timber craftsmanship, De Molen stands as an unforgettable Foxton icon.