113-616: Bolton Street Memorial Park , formerly known as Bolton Street Cemetery , is the oldest cemetery in Wellington , New Zealand. Dating back to 1840, many notable people are buried here. Situated in the suburb of Thorndon , the Wellington City Council's memorial trail number five covers the Bolton Street Memorial Park and visits notable graves, points of interest, lookouts and buildings. The park's history could probably be
226-636: A colonial outpost, and from there to an Australasian capital that has experienced a "remarkable creative resurgence". Wellington takes its name from Arthur Wellesley , the first Duke of Wellington and victor of the Battle of Waterloo (1815): his title comes from the town of Wellington in the English county of Somerset . It was named in November 1840 by the original settlers of the New Zealand Company on
339-407: A decision made by the insurer. Two of the buildings demolished were about eleven years old – the seven-storey NZDF headquarters and Statistics House at Centreport on the waterfront. The docks were closed for several weeks after the earthquake. Steep landforms shape and constrain much of Wellington city. Notable hills in and around Wellington include: Averaging 2,055 hours of sunshine per year,
452-515: A feature in some areas of the garden were grown using the first seeds of the species that were imported into New Zealand from California . Paths were laid out, native plants from other parts of New Zealand planted, and trees and plants labelled, "giving them popular Maori names instead of their scientific appellations [as] it would indeed be a pity not to see the native names of the New Zealand flora perpetuated as long as possible". The first map of
565-443: A fountain for the middle of the rose garden. In 1977, the fountain was replaced by a new one donated by Lady Norwood's children. The rose garden contains 110 beds of roses, including new and traditional varieties, laid out in concentric circles around the fountain. Climbing roses grow around the colonnades that surround the garden. The flowering season stretches from November to April. The World Federation of Rose Societies awarded
678-432: A historic building built out of timber in 1857, was enlarged in 1885 and is now being restored. The public cemetery's Sexton's Cottage, also constructed of timber in 1857, was occupied by the sexton David Robertson and his family before the building was demolished in 1908; only its brick outlines are still viewable in the upper lawn. The Mortuary Chapel, built of timber in 1866, was left to deteriorate without any repairs and
791-520: A hub for information technology and innovation, with two public research universities. Wellington is one of New Zealand's chief seaports and serves both domestic and international shipping. The city is chiefly served by Wellington International Airport in Rongotai , the country's third-busiest airport . Wellington's transport network includes train and bus lines which reach as far as the Kāpiti Coast and
904-554: A jar. The original statues were made of cast iron and installed in the garden between 1906 and 1910. After the statues were stolen and returned, replicas were made in bronze for display, while the original iron statues are kept in safe storage. Also near the Founders Entrance is the 'Joy' fountain which consists of a round pool with three frogs spouting water, with a central figure of a child with doves, carved in Hinuera stone. The work
1017-458: A long slide and flying fox. The rose garden site was originally a gully with the Waipiro (or Waipirau) stream running through it. The gully was filled in and the current rose garden was then established from 1950 to 1953, in time for that year's royal tour. It is named after Lady Norwood, former mayoress of Wellington, who donated £300 towards a proposed new begonia house in 1949, and in 1955 donated
1130-665: A magnitude 7 quake, but as it happens slowly, there is no damage. During July and August 2013 there were many earthquakes, mostly in Cook Strait near Seddon. The sequence started at 5:09 pm on Sunday 21 July 2013 when the magnitude 6.5 Seddon earthquake hit the city, but no tsunami report was confirmed nor any major damage. At 2:31 pm on Friday 16 August 2013 the Lake Grassmere earthquake struck, this time magnitude 6.6, but again no major damage occurred, though many buildings were evacuated. On Monday 20 January 2014 at 3:52 pm
1243-527: A major export. Some pines and conifers have since been removed from the main garden to make space for other types of planting. On Arbor Day 1992, the James Hector Pinetum was officially opened by then governor-general Dame Catherine Tizard in an area of the garden between Glenmore Street and the Mariri Road entrance, to commemorate Hector's work. Several governors-general have since planted pine trees in
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#17328524601961356-496: A major fault, the Wellington Fault , running through the centre of the city and several others nearby. Several hundred minor faults lines have been identified within the urban area. Inhabitants, particularly in high-rise buildings, typically notice several earthquakes every year. For many years after the 1855 earthquake, the majority of buildings were made entirely from wood. The 1996-restored Government Buildings near Parliament
1469-535: A more sustainable planting scheme, it would no longer hold Tulip Sunday. Under the framework of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation , the Botanic Garden acts as a reservoir for plant diversity and preservation of species, and provides seeds and cuttings of plants to researchers, conservation groups and gardeners. In 2013 Wellington Gardens, Wellington City Council's umbrella organisation, which includes
1582-531: A popular downhill route, taking about 30 minutes to walk from the Cable Car Entrance to the Founders Entrance. In the south-east part of the Botanic Garden near the cable car station and museum are several observatories. The Carter Observatory (aka Space Place) is owned and managed by Wellington City Council, while the Dominion Observatory , Thomas King Observatory , and MetService building form
1695-400: A population density of 1,900 people per km . The urban area had a population of 201,708 in the 2023 New Zealand census , a decrease of 84 people (−0.0%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 11,595 people (6.1%) since the 2013 census . There were 97,143 males, 101,898 females and 2,667 people of other genders in 77,472 dwellings. 9.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age
1808-563: A population density of 743 people per km . This comprises 214,200 people in the Wellington urban area and 1,100 people in the surrounding rural areas. Wellington City had a population of 202,689 in the 2023 New Zealand census , a decrease of 48 people (−0.0%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 11,733 people (6.1%) since the 2013 census . There were 97,641 males, 102,372 females and 2,673 people of other genders in 77,835 dwellings. 9.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age
1921-525: A public park. Wellington Botanic Garden is one of New Zealand's oldest botanic gardens. The land already set aside as a reserve was formally designated as "The Botanic Garden of Wellington" with the passing of the Botanic Garden Act 1869. The gardens and the land they occupied were allocated to a Board of Governors under the 1869 Act. However, the land was subsequently vested in the City of Wellington, with
2034-411: A rolling 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the lower North Island 15 km east of Eketāhuna and was felt in Wellington, but little damage was reported initially, except at Wellington Airport where one of the two giant eagle sculptures commemorating The Hobbit became detached from the ceiling. At two minutes after midnight on Monday 14 November 2016, the 7.8 magnitude Kaikōura earthquake , which
2147-412: A rotunda near the duck pond (1907), and a fernery (1911). Public toilets were installed and staff buildings constructed. Various gullies were filled in and levelled. A gully at what is now Anderson Park was filled in between 1906 and 1910, with later work done between 1931 and 1934 when the park was made larger. The new flat area became Anderson Park sports ground. From 1927, a ridge in the southwest of
2260-494: A series of interconnected grid plans , expanding along valleys and lower hill slopes. The Wellington urban area , which only includes urbanised areas within Wellington City, has a population of 214,200 as of June 2024. The wider Wellington metropolitan area , including the cities of Lower Hutt , Porirua and Upper Hutt , has a population of 440,700 as of June 2024. The city has served as New Zealand's capital since 1865,
2373-410: A sign stating: "please do not climb me – my branches aren’t as strong as they used to be’". An unusual plant in the garden is the voodoo lily , which only flowers once every few years and smells like rotting meat. Plants such as this attract a lot of public interest. A variety of native birds can be found in the garden. One notable bird is the kākā , a large native parrot that has become common in
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#17328524601962486-542: A status that is not defined in legislation, but established by convention; the New Zealand Government and Parliament , the Supreme Court and most of the public service are based in the city. Wellington's economy is primarily service -based, with an emphasis on finance, business services, government, and the film industry. It is the centre of New Zealand's film and special effects industries, and increasingly
2599-621: A time when New Zealand's population was 1.6 million. Wellington is at the south-western tip of the North Island on Cook Strait , separating the North and South Islands. On a clear day, the snowcapped Kaikōura Ranges are visible to the south across the strait. To the north stretch the golden beaches of the Kāpiti Coast . On the east, the Remutaka Range divides Wellington from the broad plains of
2712-506: A time) on the flat area at the mouth of the Hutt River . Within months that area proved swampy and flood-prone, and most of the newcomers transplanted their settlement across Wellington Harbour to Thorndon in the present-day site of Wellington city. Wellington was declared a city in 1840, and was chosen to be the capital city of New Zealand in 1865 . Wellington became the capital city in place of Auckland , which William Hobson had made
2825-565: Is the capital city of New Zealand . It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island , between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range . Wellington is the third-largest city in New Zealand, and is the administrative centre of the Wellington Region . It is the world's southernmost capital of a sovereign state . Wellington features a temperate maritime climate, and is the world's windiest city by average wind speed . Māori oral tradition tells that Kupe discovered and explored
2938-418: Is a popular attraction for visitors to Wellington, often rating in the top five visitor attractions in the city. In 2023, Wellington City Council reported that the combined total number of visitors to Wellington Botanic Garden and Ōtari-Wiltons Bush reached 1.3 million for 12 months. The main entrance to the Botanic Garden is the Founders Entrance on Glenmore Street, which leads past formal flower beds to
3051-607: Is available between its harbour and the surrounding hills. It has very few open areas in which to expand, and this has brought about the development of the suburban towns. Because of its location in the Roaring Forties and its exposure to the winds blowing through Cook Strait , Wellington is the world's windiest city, with an average wind speed of 27 km/h (17 mph). Wellington's scenic natural harbour and green hillsides adorned with tiered suburbs of colonial villas are popular with tourists. The central business district (CBD)
3164-491: Is close to Lambton Harbour, an arm of Wellington Harbour , which lies along an active geological fault , clearly evident on its straight western shore. The land to the west of this rises abruptly, meaning that many suburbs sit high above the centre of the city. There is a network of bush walks and reserves maintained by the Wellington City Council and local volunteers. These include Otari-Wilton's Bush , dedicated to
3277-460: Is notorious for its southerly blasts in winter, which may make the temperature feel much colder. It is generally very windy all year round with high rainfall; average annual rainfall is 1,250 mm (49 in), June and July being the wettest months. Frosts are quite common in the hill suburbs and the Hutt Valley between May and September. Snow is very rare at low altitudes, although snow fell on
3390-401: Is now part of the central business district. For this reason, the street named Lambton Quay is 100 to 200 metres (325 to 650 ft) from the harbour – plaques set into the footpath mark the shoreline in 1840 , indicating the extent of reclamation. The 1942 Wairarapa earthquakes caused considerable damage in Wellington. The area has high seismic activity even by New Zealand standards, with
3503-592: Is popular among joggers; the Upper Trail is steep compared to the Lower Trail which in places have steps. Tutaenui creek is located in a gulley within the park. Bolton Street Memorial Park is now a historic reserve under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Department of the Wellington City Council. Of the initial three buildings constructed in the cemetery area, only one remains. The Church of England's Sexton's Cottage,
Bolton Street Memorial Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
3616-576: Is the Botanic Garden Walk , a loop walk through the garden that takes in six sculptures, including one by Henry Moore . The Treehouse is a visitor and education centre, shop and administration centre located in the middle of the gardens. The facilities include a seminar room and exhibition area. The Treehouse was built in 1991 in a partnership between Wellington City Council and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). WWF had its national office in
3729-462: Is the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. While masonry and structural steel have subsequently been used in building construction, especially for office buildings, timber framing remains the primary structural component of almost all residential construction. Residents place their confidence in good building regulations , which became more stringent in the 20th century. Since
3842-417: Is titled Gardens Magic and also includes a light show. From 1944 until 2023, Tulip Sunday was part of a spring festival held annually in the gardens, usually near the end of September. Visitors enjoyed seeing the flower beds near the Founders Entrance filled with masses of tulips in full bloom, and could enjoy entertainment (often Dutch-themed) organised by Wellington City Council and sponsors. The date of
3955-510: Is used. In 2024, the garden announced a new planting scheme in the main garden. By changing the irrigation and mix of plants on display, the garden will become more sustainable, shifting from planting every six months to planting only every three to five years. At the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, low-toxicity chemicals and natural predators such as ladybirds (which eat aphids ) are used to maintain plant health. The Botanic Garden
4068-584: The Chatham Islands . The Waitangi Tribunal has found that at the time of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Tama, and Ngāti Toa held mana whenua interests in the area, through conquest and occupation. Steps towards European settlement in the area began in 1839, when Colonel William Wakefield arrived to purchase land for the New Zealand Company to sell to prospective British settlers. Prior to this time,
4181-515: The City Gallery , and the former Post and Telegraph Building ; and the curves and vibrant colours of post-modern architecture in the CBD. Wellington Botanic Garden Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā is a botanical garden close to central Wellington in New Zealand. It covers 25 ha (62 acres) of land in a valley between Thorndon and Kelburn , with Glenmore Street as a boundary along
4294-660: The National Archives , the National Library , New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa and numerous theatres. It plays host to many artistic and cultural organisations, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Royal New Zealand Ballet . Its architectural attractions include the Old Government Buildings – one of the largest wooden buildings in the world – as well as the iconic Beehive ,
4407-457: The Wairarapa , a wine region of national notability. With a latitude of 41° 17' South, Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the world . Wellington ties with Canberra , Australia, as the most remote capital city, 2,326 km (1,445 mi) apart from each other. Wellington is more densely populated than most other cities in New Zealand due to the restricted amount of land that
4520-518: The Wairarapa Fault to the north and east of Wellington. It was probably the most powerful earthquake in recorded New Zealand history, with an estimated magnitude of at least 8.2 on the Moment magnitude scale . It caused vertical movements of two to three metres over a large area, including raising land out of the harbour and turning it into a tidal swamp. Much of this land was subsequently reclaimed and
4633-591: The Wellington Urban Motorway , caused extensive controversy at the time. The new motorway opened in 1978, and in the same year, the Wellington City Council Parks renamed the cemetery as the Bolton Street Memorial Park. Though the Friends of Bolton Street protested against the shifting of the graves, they did not stop construction of the road but ensured that the cemetery got a heritage status and
Bolton Street Memorial Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
4746-442: The nickname of "Windy Wellington". Legends recount that Kupe discovered and explored the region in about the 10th century. Before European colonisation, the area in which the city of Wellington would eventually be founded was seasonally inhabited by indigenous Māori . The earliest date with hard evidence for human activity in New Zealand is about 1280. Wellington and its environs have been occupied by various Māori groups from
4859-400: The 12th century. The legendary Polynesian explorer Kupe, a chief from Hawaiki (the homeland of Polynesian explorers, of unconfirmed geographical location, not to be confused with Hawaii ), was said to have stayed in the harbour from c. 925 . A later Māori explorer, Whatonga, named the harbour Te Whanganui-a-Tara after his son Tara. Before the 1820s, most of the inhabitants of
4972-507: The 1900s, including regular Sunday band performances at the band rotunda built in 1907. Later, a variety of music was performed at the Sound Shell, including pop concerts in the late 1960s and then Summer City events from the 1970s. In 2019, Taranaki Whānui gifted the name ki Paekākā (" kākā perch") to the garden, and its official name then became 'Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā'. Some Wellington City Councillors raised concerns that
5085-458: The 1970s and 1980s. The Begonia House consists of two wings holding tropical and temperate plants including orchids, begonias, cyclamens, ferns and epiphytes, connected by a central atrium. A café was added to the east wing in 1981, and the west wing was extended in 1989 with a large lily pond with fish and water lilies. The Begonia House is a popular venue for weddings and other functions. In November 2024, Wellington City Council announced that it
5198-444: The Botanic Garden, Otari-Wilton's Bush , Truby King Park and Bolton Street Cemetery , became certified as a CarboNZero organisation. Under this programme, the Botanic Garden aimed to reduce waste, energy consumption, travel and fuel, by means such as replacing power tools with electric ones and altering the way the glasshouses are managed. Instead of using gas heaters to warm the glasshouses, piped hot water from electric heat pumps
5311-554: The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 , earthquake readiness has become even more of an issue, with buildings declared by Wellington City Council to be earthquake-prone, and the costs of meeting new standards. Every five years, a year-long slow quake occurs beneath Wellington, stretching from Kapiti to the Marlborough Sounds . It was first measured in 2003, and reappeared in 2008 and 2013. It releases as much energy as
5424-504: The Mercer worldwide Cost of Living Survey. In 2019, Mercer ranked cities on personal safety, including internal stability, crime levels, law enforcement, limitations on personal freedom, relationships with other countries and freedom of the press. Wellington shared ninth place internationally with Auckland. In addition to governmental institutions, Wellington accommodates several of the nation's largest and oldest cultural institutions, such as
5537-622: The Māori inhabitants had had contact with Pākehā whalers and traders. European settlement began with the arrival of an advance party of the New Zealand Company on the ship Tory on 20 September 1839, followed by 150 settlers on the Aurora on 22 January 1840. Thus, the Wellington settlement preceded the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (on 6 February 1840). The 1840 settlers constructed their first homes at Petone (which they called Britannia for
5650-515: The Observatory Reserve, owned by the government and managed by the Department of Conservation. Wellington City Council maintains the grounds around these buildings to ensure they are in keeping with the rest of the garden, although they are not officially covered by the Botanic Garden management plan. Wellington Botanic Garden is classified as five-star (a Garden of National Significance), by
5763-610: The Pukatea and Pipitea streams, and has been a feature of the Botanic Garden since 1868. In times past it was known as the Frog Pond, the Lily Pond and the Swan Pond. In 1996 the pond was enlarged and reshaped, and its surroundings were upgraded with a small pavilion, wetland garden and lookout points. In 1998, landscape architect Stephen Dunn of Boffa Miskell won a silver award for his redesign of
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#17328524601965876-455: The Puriri Lawn and Magpie Lawn. Three more pedestrian entrances provide access from the south, at Glen Road, Mariri Road and Boundary Road. At the top of the hill, the Cable Car Entrance gives access from the top of the cable car route. The Wellington Cable Car runs between the top of the Botanic Garden and Lambton Quay in Wellington's central business district . A wide paved path provides
5989-531: The Wairarapa , and ferries connect the city to the South Island . Often referred to as New Zealand's cultural capital, the culture of Wellington is a diverse and often youth-driven one which has wielded influence across Oceania . One of the world's most liveable cities , the 2021 Global Livability Ranking tied Wellington with Tokyo as fourth in the world. From 2017 to 2018, Deutsche Bank ranked it first in
6102-594: The Wellington region were Whatonga's descendants. At about 1820, the people living there were Ngāti Ira and other groups who traced their descent from the explorer Whatonga, including Rangitāne and Muaūpoko . However, these groups were eventually forced out of Te Whanganui-a-Tara by a series of migrations by other iwi (Māori tribes) from the north. The migrating groups were Ngāti Toa , which came from Kāwhia , Ngāti Rangatahi, from near Taumarunui , and Te Ātiawa , Ngāti Tama , Ngāti Mutunga , Taranaki and Ngāti Ruanui from Taranaki . Ngāti Mutunga later moved on to
6215-473: The Zoo from the garden. Wellington City Council began managing the garden in 1891, tidying up and developing various parts of the garden to improve public amenity. The garden became more popular with the public after the cable car began running in 1902 and trams started running along Glenmore Street in 1904. The council constructed a tea kiosk at the top of the cable car (1904), a playground near Anderson Park (1905),
6328-757: The building and delivered education programmes from there, but moved out in 2010. The Botanic Garden contains remnants of lowland broadleaf native forest. These pockets of forest cover eight hectares near Fern Glen Stream, Stable Gully, and the Salamanca hillside south of the Lady Norwood Rose Garden. There are areas of predominantly kānuka , kāmahi or kohekohe , but also large hinau and rātā trees that have survived since pre-European times. Although these forest remnants have been modifed by human interaction and introduced species and pests, they still have much scientific and heritage value. The New Zealand Tree Register lists noteworthy native and introduced tree specimens in
6441-554: The building was empty. The capital city is also the location of the highest court, the Supreme Court of New Zealand , and the historic former High Court building (opened 1881) has been enlarged and restored for its use. The Governor-General's residence, Government House (the current building completed in 1910) is situated in Newtown , opposite the Basin Reserve . Premier House (built in 1843 for Wellington's first mayor, George Hunter ),
6554-582: The capital in 1841 . The New Zealand Parliament had first met in Wellington on 7 July 1862, on a temporary basis; in November 1863, the Prime Minister of New Zealand , Alfred Domett , placed a resolution before Parliament in Auckland that "... it has become necessary that the seat of government ... should be transferred to some suitable locality in Cook Strait [region]." There had been some concerns that
6667-425: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 62,259 (36.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 66,273 (38.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24,219 (14.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 55,400, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 40,632 people (23.5%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
6780-425: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 62,484 (36.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 66,657 (38.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24,339 (14.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 55,500, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 40,872 people (23.6%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
6893-640: The city and many other parts of the Wellington region during separate events on 25 July 2011 and 15 August 2011. Snow at higher altitudes is more common, with light flurries recorded in higher suburbs every few years. On 29 January 2019, the suburb of Kelburn (instruments near the old Metservice building in the Wellington Botanic Garden ) reached 30.3 °C (87 °F), the highest temperature since records began in 1927. Wellington City covers 289.91 km (111.93 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 215,300 as of June 2024, with
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#17328524601967006-421: The climate of Wellington is temperate marine , ( Köppen : Cfb , Trewartha : Cflk ), generally moderate all year round with mild summers and cool to mild winters, and rarely sees temperatures above 26 °C (79 °F) or below 4 °C (39 °F). The hottest recorded temperature in the city is 31.1 °C (88 °F) recorded on 20 February 1896 , while −1.9 °C (29 °F) is the coldest. The city
7119-472: The duck pond. As of 2024, a public bus stops outside this entrance. The Centennial Entrance near the Founders Entrance provides vehicle and pedestrian access from Glenmore Street to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, and a path from Bolton Street Cemetery past Anderson Park also leads to the rose garden. Further up Glenmore Street from the Founders Entrance are the Pipitea Entrance and West Entrance, which lead to
7232-421: The economic potential of various plants, a place for scientists to collect and study native and introduced plants, and a place for the public to enjoy. The New Zealand Institute planted conifers as part of a programme to import plant species and assess their potential for economic benefit to New Zealand, and these came to form a framework and shelter for other plantings. The large pinus radiata trees that are
7345-613: The event was decided months in advance due to the organisation required, but sometimes the tulips reached full bloom earlier or later than the scheduled date because of the weather. Tulip Sunday in Wellington began in 1944 with between 10,000 and 20,000 tulips on display and music provided by a band. The event received a boost in 1948, when the Netherlands government gave 25,000 tulip bulbs to Wellington in recognition of New Zealand's welcome to Dutch refugees after World War 2. In 2024, Wellington City Council advised that since it had changed to
7458-641: The executive wing of Parliament Buildings as well as internationally renowned Futuna Chapel . The city's art scene includes many art galleries, including the national art collection at Toi Art at Te Papa. Wellington also has many events such as CubaDupa , Wellington On a Plate , the Newtown Festival , Diwali Festival of Lights and Gardens Magic at the Botanical Gardens. Wellington's urban area covers 112.71 km (43.52 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 214,200 as of June 2024, with
7571-493: The first time on 26 July 1865. At that time, the population of Wellington was just 4,900. The Government Buildings were constructed at Lambton Quay in 1876. The site housed the original government departments in New Zealand . The public service rapidly expanded beyond the capacity of the building, with the first department leaving shortly after it was opened; by 1975 only the Education Department remained, and by 1990
7684-472: The garden a 'Garden of Excellence' award in 2015. The Begonia House bordering the south side of the rose garden was opened in 1960, after a donation of £20,000 by Sir Charles Norwood , former mayor of Wellington. When it was built, the Begonia House was the largest glasshouse in the southern hemisphere. The Norwood family made further donations for landscaping around the Begonia House and rose garden during
7797-559: The garden in 1875, by John Buchanan , also included a list of all plants growing there, and a survey of native plants indigenous to the reserve. The area that would later become the Soundshell Lawn was levelled in 1880, and Hector established a teaching garden there. Some animals were kept at the Botanic Garden prior to the formation of Wellington Zoo in Newtown in 1906, including the "City Emu" which died shortly after being relocated to
7910-446: The garden is a cypress planted in the 1970s which has been pruned into a 'bucket' shape. The tree, nicknamed the ' trippy tree ' or ' bucket tree ', is known as a hangout for students, who climb into the tree where they can see but not be seen. A 'Top 10 trees' list in 2013 described the tree: "a circular platform formed by branches at the top of the "trippy tree" gives sweeping views of Wellington. Authorities are wary of drunken antics at
8023-430: The garden since a breeding programme was established at Zealandia . The increased number of kākā has led to serious damage to historic redwood trees and Norfolk pines in the garden, as the birds peel off bark to get to the trees' sap. In March 2024, two mature redwoods planted around the 1870s had to be removed from the garden because of decay caused by kākā damage. Glowworms are visible some nights along paths in
8136-718: The garden was established, the area was used by the Ngāti Te Whiti hapū of Te Āti Awa for growing and gathering food for Kumutoto and Pipitea pā . In 1844 the Crown took areas of the Wellington Town Belt , including land for a botanical garden, from the Kumutoto settlement, but returned some of it in 1847. Governor Grey then bought the land in 1852. In 1865 the land was sold to the Wellington Provincial Council for
8249-456: The garden was flattened and a gully filled in to form Magpie Lawn and Puriri Lawn. Later developments included the Lady Norwood Rose Garden (1953) which was created over a filled-in gully, Begonia House (1960), a herb garden (1970s), an information centre (1983–1987), the Treehouse education centre (1991) and a sculpture trail (1991). Live music performances have taken place in the garden since
8362-409: The garden, for example a Pinus pinea planted around 1870 as part of the Botanic Garden's early role in assessing the economic potential of introduced species. The genetic value of trees like this has increased since their decline in their native habitat. A threatened species garden next to the Treehouse education centre displays native plants that are under threat. Near the Cable Car Entrance to
8475-921: The graves, gifts of plants by the public, members of the Wellington Heritage Rose Society, and also from Europe under the seed exchange programme. According to the recorded list, the park now has 210 heritage roses of which important cultivars and species include 'Archduke Joseph' , 'Mutabilis' , 'Kazanlik' , 'Old Blush China' , 'Viridiflora' , 'La France' , 'Honorine de Brabant' , 'Ispahan' , 'Roseraire de l'Haÿ' , 'Alberic Barbier' , R. eglanteria , 'Tuscany' , 'Souvenir de Madame Léonie Viennot' , 'Cornelia' , Rosa moyesii 'Fargesii' , 'Blushing Lucy' , 'Madame Plantier' , Rosa laevigata , Rosa altaica , Rosa bracteata , and 'Joseph Cartier' . Graves still existing: Reinstated monument after disinterment for motorway Graves moved for motorway construction: Wellington Wellington
8588-489: The harbour is to the east of the Miramar Peninsula, and contains the dangerous shallows of Barrett Reef , where many ships have been wrecked (notably the inter-island ferry TEV Wahine in 1968 ). The harbour has three islands: Matiu/Somes Island , Makaro/Ward Island and Mokopuna Island . Only Matiu/Somes Island is large enough for habitation. It has been used as a quarantine station for people and animals, and
8701-399: The harbour. Wellington's status as the capital is a result of constitutional convention rather than statute. Wellington is New Zealand's political centre, housing the nation's major government institutions. The New Zealand Parliament relocated to the new capital city, having spent the first ten years of its existence in Auckland. A session of parliament officially met in the capital for
8814-739: The hillside in 1840 for the public cemetery (non-sectarian), the original settlers planted roses. These were later supplemented by the Wellington Botanic Garden in association with Heritage Roses New Zealand Inc. Under the Wellington City Council Management Plan, the rose garden is maintained by the Wellington Botanic Garden . The "memorial roses" reported from the park are: Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' , Rosa banksiae alba plena , Rosa indica major , 'Félicité et Perpétue , 'Climbing Cécile Brünner' , and 'Souvenir de la Malmaison' , which were planted by people visiting
8927-460: The history of those buried there; old pioneers are buried in the Victorian -type cemetery. Established as a cemetery in 1840 on the outskirts of the new town of Wellington, separate burial areas were designated for Anglicans , Jews and Roman Catholics . Many notable people of the town were buried there, including William Wakefield , Wellington's founder. It was closed for burials in 1892, except for
9040-524: The initial land was surrendered for the Bowen Street cutting and to Anderson Park. The current park, about 1.85 hectares (4.6 acres) in size, includes a land gift from Morva Williams . The approach to the park is from Bolton Street, from a signed pathway off Bowen Street and from Botanic Garden, immediately after Anderson Park. There are walkways in the park on either side of the motorway, which have several signs giving Wellington's colonial history. The trail
9153-414: The main garden near the duck pond, and visitors can take a tour to see them. As part of its Summer City programme, Wellington City Council organised events in the Botanic Garden during summers from 1979 to the early 2000s, including live Shakespeare, free movies, teddy bears' picnics and free concerts. The concert series continued at the Sound Shell and in 2024 celebrated 44 years of concerts. The series
9266-462: The more populous South Island (where the goldfields were located) would choose to form a separate colony in the British Empire . Several commissioners (delegates) invited from Australia, chosen for their neutral status, declared that the city was a suitable location because of its central location in New Zealand and its good harbour ; it was believed that the whole Royal Navy fleet could fit into
9379-469: The new burials of kins; this was due to inadequate space as the city grew. In 1960, the City Council's urban plan established a need for a motorway, a part of which would be routed through the cemetery. Seven years later, the City Council passed an act to build a motorway through the park. As a result, the cemetery was closed as a burial ground from March 1967 through 1971. The historic cemetery, bisected by
9492-461: The new name was at once adopted". In the Māori language , Wellington has three names: The legendary Māori explorer Kupe , a chief from Hawaiki (the homeland of Polynesian explorers, of unconfirmed geographical location, not to be confused with Hawaii ), was said to have stayed in the harbour prior to 1000 CE. Here, it is said he had a notable impact on the area, with local mythology stating he named
9605-579: The official residence of the prime minister , is in Thorndon on Tinakori Road. Over six months in 1939 and 1940, Wellington hosted the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition , celebrating a century since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi . Held on 55 acres of land at Rongotai, it featured three exhibition courts, grand Art Deco-style edifices and a hugely popular three-acre amusement park. Wellington attracted more than 2.5 million visitors at
9718-453: The park got a reserve nomenclature. In spite of protests, about 3,700 graves were exhumed and relocated, most of whom were re-interred in a large vault beneath the park's lawn. The relocated parts of the cemetery with head stones are linked through a foot bridge over the road. Of the 8,500 people reported buried in the park, only 1334 headstones (made of marble or local stones) were traced and 35 are made in wood. Historian Margaret Alington
9831-399: The park's beehives. The park also serves as an extension of Wellington Botanic Garden with areas of open lawns, undulating topography covered by a mix of regenerating native scrub and plantings of exotic trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs. Notable is the heritage roses collection among the graves. The park's heritage rose collection is of national significance. When land was allotted on
9944-616: The passing of the Wellington Botanic Garden Vesting Act 1891. The garden was established on a 5.3 ha (13 acres) site in 1868 and extended to 28 ha (68 acres) 68 acres in 1871. It was initially managed by the New Zealand Institute (later renamed the Royal Society Te Apārangi ) and its manager James Hector until 1891. It served three purposes: a trial ground for the government to test
10057-460: The pinetum. Some trees in the pinetum are more than 140 years old. Both mature trees and saplings planted by governors-general have been damaged by kākā ripping off bark to get at the trees' sap. A memorial to James Hector was unveiled in the pinetum in 2004. There are a variety of sculptures in the Botanic Gardens. Near the Founders Entrance are two small statues of a child pouring water from
10170-597: The pond, in a competition held by the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects and the Landscape Industries Association of New Zealand. James Hector planted 127 species of conifers throughout the garden in the nineteenth century, with a view to finding out which species might be economically useful in New Zealand. Some of these species are now endangered in their natural habitats but have thrived in New Zealand, with pinus radiata becoming
10283-599: The protection and propagation of native plants. The Wellington region has 500 square kilometres (190 sq mi) of regional parks and forests. In the east is the Miramar Peninsula , connected to the rest of the city by a low-lying isthmus at Rongotai , the site of Wellington International Airport . Industry has developed mainly in the Hutt Valley, where there are food-processing plants, engineering industries, vehicle assembly and oil refineries. The narrow entrance to
10396-632: The public had not been consulted about the name change. The garden contains many discrete collections including the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, rock gardens, cacti and succulents, an Australian garden, camellias, dwarf conifers, a fernery, a herb garden, a grass collection and a fragrant garden. Educational facilities include the Treehouse visitor centre and a discovery garden used for school visits, as well as talks and demonstrations by gardeners on topics such as 'pruning roses'. There are historic wooden and brick buildings formerly used as gardeners' accommodation, workshops and stables. A large playground contains
10509-558: The region in about the 10th century. The area was initially settled by Māori iwi such as Rangitāne and Muaūpoko . The disruptions of the Musket Wars led to them being overwhelmed by northern iwi such as Te Āti Awa by the early 19th century. Wellington's current form was originally designed by Captain William Mein Smith , the first Surveyor General for Edward Wakefield 's New Zealand Company , in 1840. Smith's plan included
10622-482: The site". In 2014 the Draft Management Plan for the Botanic Garden recommended removal of the tree, but in a submission on the plan, the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden stated: "We are aware of the difficulties with the ‘bucket tree’ and note its planned removal. It is, however, a garden iconic feature known to many visitors who comment favourably when they see it." In 2022 the tree was fenced off, with
10735-515: The structure states: "In commemoration of bandsmen of the Wellington District who served their king and country and of those who also made the supreme sacrifice. 1914–1918. 1939–1945. "Their sound is gone out into all lands" Psalm 19 v4." The Sound Shell and lawn form a sheltered area that has been used many types of event, including band performances, music concerts, Christmas carols, open air dancing, plays, weddings and dance displays. During
10848-449: The suggestion of the directors of the same, in recognition of the Duke's strong support for the company's principles of colonisation and his "strenuous and successful defence against its enemies of the measure for colonising South Australia". One of the founders of the settlement, Edward Jerningham Wakefield , reported that the settlers "took up the views of the directors with great cordiality and
10961-420: The summer Gardens Magic season, people picnic on the lawn and trees around the area are lit up. The Dell is a flat, sheltered lawn area of 1,670 m (18,000 sq ft) located behind the Begonia House. It is available for hire and has been used for a wide range of events including large picnics, music performances, outdoor theatre and outdoor cinema. The duck pond is a naturally-formed pond, fed by
11074-412: The two islands in the harbour after his daughters, Matiu (Somes Island) , and Mākaro (Ward Island) . In New Zealand Sign Language , the name is signed by raising the index, middle, and ring fingers of one hand, palm forward, to form a "W", and shaking it slightly from side to side twice. The city's location close to the mouth of the narrow Cook Strait leaves it vulnerable to strong gales, leading to
11187-553: The valley floor. One of the access points is from the top of the Wellington Cable Car . The garden is managed by Wellington City Council , and features protected native forest, conifers, plant collections and seasonal displays and an extensive rose garden . Large sculptures and carvings are located throughout the garden. Before the garden was established, the area was used by the Ngāti Te Whiti hapū of Te Āti Awa for growing and gathering food for Kumutoto and Pipitea pā . It
11300-534: The world for both livability and non-pollution. Cultural precincts such as Cuba Street and Newtown are renowned for creative innovation, " op shops ", historic character, and food . Wellington is a leading financial centre in the Asia-Pacific region, being ranked 46th in the world by the Global Financial Centres Index for 2024. The global city has grown from a bustling Māori settlement, to
11413-561: Was 34.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 28,986 people (14.4%) aged under 15 years, 54,912 (27.2%) aged 15 to 29, 94,272 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 23,541 (11.7%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 72.0% European ( Pākehā ); 9.8% Māori ; 5.7% Pasifika ; 20.5% Asian ; 3.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
11526-510: Was 34.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 29,142 people (14.4%) aged under 15 years, 55,080 (27.2%) aged 15 to 29, 94,806 (46.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 23,664 (11.7%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 72.1% European ( Pākehā ); 9.8% Māori ; 5.7% Pasifika ; 20.4% Asian ; 3.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
11639-563: Was an internment camp during World War I and World War II. It is a conservation island, providing refuge for endangered species , much like Kapiti Island farther up the coast. There is access during daylight hours by the Dominion Post Ferry. Wellington is primarily surrounded by water, but some of the nearby locations are listed below. Wellington suffered serious damage in a series of earthquakes in 1848 and from another earthquake in 1855. The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake occurred on
11752-532: Was centred between Culverden and Kaikōura in the South Island, caused the Wellington CBD, Victoria University of Wellington , and the Wellington suburban rail network to be largely closed for the day to allow inspections. The earthquake damaged a considerable number of buildings, with 65% of the damage being in Wellington. Subsequently, a number of recent buildings were demolished rather than being rebuilt, often
11865-639: Was commissioned to write a history of the cemetery. Her book, Unquiet Earth: a History of the Bolton Street Cemetery , was published in 1978. The original grounds were 18 acres (7.3 ha) in size and was segmented. Approximately 7 acres (2.8 ha) were used by the Church of England, two roods and 37 perches were for Jews, and 8 acres (3.2 ha) were set aside for the public cemetery. The motorway takes up 3.7 acres (1.5 ha), encroaching about 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) of wooded burial ground. Some of
11978-582: Was completed in 1946. In 1975 the Japan Society of New Zealand gifted a carved stone lantern that is now located in the Peace Garden adjacent to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden. In 1994 the lantern was adapted to house the Hiroshima Peace Flame in recognition of Wellington's nuclear free status. In the 1990s, Wellington Sculpture Trust began a project to place sculptures in the garden. The result
12091-473: Was considering demolishing the Begonia House, citing unspecified safety concerns. The Sound Shell Lawn was originally a teaching garden, then a rose garden. A wooden band rotunda was built in 1907 and in use until the concrete Sound Shell was built in 1953. The Wellington Bands Association proposed construction of the Sound Shell as a memorial to bandsmen who had fought and died in World War 1 and 2. A plaque on
12204-451: Was finally demolished in 1969 to make way for the motorway. Based on recorded drawings of it, a replica chapel was built and serves as the visitor centre. Situated in the smaller half of the cemetery, it contains exhibits on the park's history, details of those buried at the cemetery, along with printed lists of names. A beehive centre is maintained by the Friends of Bolton Street Memorial Park who also facilitate information on conservation of
12317-503: Was later established as a botanic gardens on a 5.3 ha (13 acres) site in 1868 and extended to 28 ha (68 acres) 68 acres in 1871. The Botanic Garden contains remnants of lowland broadleaf native forest. A variety of native birds can be found in the garden. It is classified as a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust . In 2004 it was listed as a historic area by Heritage New Zealand . Before
12430-557: Was spoken by 96.3%, Māori language by 2.7%, Samoan by 1.7% and other languages by 23.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 34.4, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 26.9% Christian , 3.8% Hindu , 1.8% Islam , 0.4% Māori religious beliefs , 1.7% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.3% Jewish , and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.7%, and 5.2% of people did not answer
12543-557: Was spoken by 96.3%, Māori language by 2.7%, Samoan by 1.8% and other languages by 23.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 34.4, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 26.9% Christian , 3.8% Hindu , 1.8% Islam , 0.4% Māori religious beliefs , 1.7% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.3% Jewish , and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.6%, and 5.2% of people did not answer
12656-707: Was that 101,892 (59.0%) people were employed full-time, 24,063 (13.9%) were part-time, and 5,268 (3.0%) were unemployed. Wellington showcases a variety of architectural styles from the past 150 years – 19th-century wooden cottages, such as the Italianate Katherine Mansfield Birthplace in Thorndon; streamlined Art Deco structures such as the old Wellington Free Ambulance headquarters, the Central Fire Station, Fountain Court Apartments,
12769-515: Was that 102,369 (59.0%) people were employed full-time, 24,201 (13.9%) were part-time, and 5,283 (3.0%) were unemployed. Wellington ranks 12th in the world for quality of living, according to a 2023 study by consulting company Mercer. Of cities in the Asia–Pacific region, Wellington ranked third behind Auckland and Sydney. In 2024, Wellington was ranked as a highly affordable city in terms of cost of living , coming in at 145th out of 226 cities in
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