87-561: Oriental Bay is a bay and suburb of Wellington , the capital city of New Zealand. Known for being both a popular beach and an opulent centre of affluence in the city, it is located close to the central business district on Wellington Harbour . It has the closest beach to the central city and is thus a popular destination for locals, who swarm here especially in the warmer months (December to March). Painted ladies and other historic houses, such as those in distinctly Wellingtonian streamline moderne style, are prominent alongside and up into
174-430: A Historic Place Category 2 by Heritage New Zealand . It was built in 1936 to replace an earlier wooden band rotunda that stood on a concrete platform on the site. The Moderne -style concrete building opened on 1 May 1937 as a one-storey pavilion with changing rooms for swimmers and an open-air viewing platform on top. By the late 1970s it was not used much by bathers, so Wellington City Council called for ideas to repurpose
261-490: A Labour Department hostel for civil servants, especially young people newly arrived in Wellington for training courses or new careers. Around 1980 the building was demolished and replaced by a Park Royal hotel, which became Raffaele Hotel and was then sold in 2003 and converted into apartments. The Carter Fountain was installed in the bay in 1973. In the early 2000s Freyberg Beach, the area of Oriental Bay next to Freyberg Pool,
348-636: 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
435-407: 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,
522-575: A decrease of 39 people (−2.7%) since the 2006 census . There were 666 households, comprising 660 males and 729 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.91 males per female. The median age was 50.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 66 people (4.8%) aged under 15 years, 336 (24.2%) aged 15 to 29, 579 (41.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 408 (29.4%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 86.6% European/ Pākehā , 5.0% Māori , 1.1% Pasifika , 10.8% Asian , and 3.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
609-520: 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
696-464: A large tea rooms and on the second storey was a dance hall with a sprung floor and glassed-in balcony around it. In 1916 dancing had "gone out of fashion" so the upper level was converted into a 31-room private hotel. From about 1921 until the 1940s the building became the Oriental Private Hotel (or Orient Private Hotel). From then until 1957 the building was a YWCA hostel, and from 1957 it was
783-665: 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
870-496: 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
957-400: 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
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#17328591002981044-510: 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
1131-416: A posy of flowers. The 'Roseneath Estate' began to be developed in 1886 and probably took its name from Wilkinson's business. Walking access from Oriental Bay to Roseneath begins at the top of Grass Street outside Wilkinson's house, now 13 Grass Street, at the foot of Wilkinson Street. Wilkinson also grew grapes commercially and operated a plant nursery, until at least 1891. Wilkinson died in 1902 but his son
1218-538: A remote "dreary-looking spot" of rocks lying between cliffs and the sea used primarily for quarantining foreigners, it has undergone considerable changes since the early stages of European sedttlement. Many landmarks were built during the 20th century, including grand streamlined moderne houses like the Olympus Building and the Anscombe Apartments, and the modernist Freyberg Pool built in the 1960s. However,
1305-411: 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
1392-505: A sea wall along Oriental Bay from the Te Aro baths to Point Jerningham. The work was done in stages as funding allowed, and was completed as far as the tea kiosk at Point Jerningham by 1924. Gaps behind the sea wall were filled in and a promenade created. The sea wall is heritage-listed by Wellington City Council. Construction of the sea wall decreased the size of the rocky beach, and there were calls for sand to be brought in to enlarge and improve
1479-494: 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,
1566-542: 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
1653-406: A tenant for the building, and in 2024 the developer and Wellington City Council terminated their agreement as no tenant had been found. The Carter Fountain was donated to the city in 1973 by local businessman Hugh Carter, in memory of his parents. The fountain spouts water 16 metres (52 ft) into the air, and is illuminated at night. The band rotunda holds the land-based electrical components for
1740-621: 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
1827-506: 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
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#17328591002981914-604: A tug boat in Auckland until 1986. It was sold and brought to Wellington in October 1986. The engines and other parts were removed and after refurbishment the tug was renamed Tapuhi II and moved to Oriental Bay where it opened as a restaurant and function centre in February 1992. The business was initially known as Tugboat on the Bay, and later Skippers Seafood Restaurant, then Boat Cafe. Apart from
2001-607: 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)
2088-528: Is brought in for volleyball matches. Oriental Bay is a site for topless sunbathing. In December 2016, a Free The Nipple Beach Day was held there. Oriental Parade has been used for cycling and running races on a course around the coast since the nineteenth century. The Round the Bays fun run has taken place since the 1970s and is the third-largest mass-participation event in New Zealand. Runners and walkers begin in
2175-491: 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
2262-522: 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
2349-460: 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
2436-401: 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
2523-462: 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
2610-584: 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,
2697-660: 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 ,
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2784-457: 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
2871-518: 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
2958-442: 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
3045-400: 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
3132-566: The CBD, usually at Frank Kitts Park , and travel around the coastline, along Oriental Bay and around past Evans Bay to Kilbirnie. More than 10,000 people took part in 2023. Norfolk pines are a distinctive feature of the promenade along Oriental Bay. The first seedlings were planted in 1921, and planting continued for several years. The mature trees, some up to 15 m tall, line most of Oriental Parade and are listed as heritage trees by Wellington City Council. In 2017 there were fears that kākā were damaging
3219-554: 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
3306-504: 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
3393-622: 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
3480-464: The Te Aro baths. He died in 1963 so the new pool was named after him. The building is classified as a "Category I" ("places of 'special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value'") historic place by Heritage New Zealand. A former tug boat is permanently moored in the lagoon next to Freyberg Pool. The ship, originally called Aucklander , was built in Scotland in 1958 and served as
3567-531: 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
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3654-594: 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
3741-459: The area. A big boost to the beach came during World War 2, when ships from England brought sand as ballast which was then dumped at Oriental Bay. Almost 20,000 tons of sand was deposited on the beach during 1944-1945. The Oriental Bay Tea Kiosk opened in April 1913 on the site of a former quarry and industrial store at what is now 370 Oriental Bay, at the base of Carlton Gore Road. The ground floor held
3828-408: The band rotunda, Oriental Bay is the location of several other heritage-listed buildings: Oriental Bay statistical area covers 0.30 km (0.12 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 1,450 as of June 2024, with a population density of 4,833 people per km. Oriental Bay had a population of 1,389 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 6 people (0.4%) since the 2013 census , and
3915-410: The beach's greatest renovation came in 2004, when 22,000 tonnes of sand was shipped from Golden Bay to rebuild the beach, which had become worn down over many years. The Carter Fountain is a distinctive feature in the bay, as is a wooden pontoon which is often covered in swimmers. A small section of the bay that lies beside Freyberg Pool is known as Freyberg Beach, after Lord Freyberg. Oriental Bay
4002-467: The bottom floor could no longer bear the weight of the restaurant floor above it. Long exposure to the salty marine environment had also caused ‘concrete cancer’, corrosion of the metal reinforcing within the concrete structure. A contract to redevelop the building was signed in 2019 but progress was delayed by the Covid pandemic. In July 2022 the developer of the site paused construction because he had not found
4089-554: 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 ),
4176-465: The building. The original level was put into use for community meeting rooms and public toilets, and a new storey was built on top. This became a restaurant, opened in 1985, and a new open-air roof level open to the public was created above the restaurant. The community rooms were closed in 2012 due to earthquake risk. In 2016 the Kaikōura earthquake caused a crack in the rotunda's foundation, which meant that
4263-531: 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
4350-425: 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
4437-425: 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
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#17328591002984524-640: 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
4611-421: 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
4698-641: 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
4785-493: 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
4872-420: The fountain. During events such as arts festivals, images have been projected onto the spray from the fountain. Freyberg Pool is an indoor public swimming pool built out into Oriental Bay. It was opened in 1963 near the site of the former Te Aro baths, an outdoor saltwater pool. Freyberg Pool is named after Bernard Freyberg , a former governor-general of New Zealand. Freyberg was a keen swimmer and had trained at
4959-489: 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
5046-399: 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
5133-502: The hills that face the bay. Situated against the northern slope of Mount Victoria , the suburb lies 1.5 kilometres (0.93 miles) southeast of the city centre, at the start of a coastal route which continues around into Evans Bay . Oriental Bay was originally named Duppa Bay, after its sole original resident George Duppa, but in 1843 he renamed it after the Oriental, one of the first ships to bring settlers to Wellington. Originally described as
5220-462: 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
5307-461: 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
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#17328591002985394-579: 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
5481-599: 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
5568-558: 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
5655-449: 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
5742-401: The trees. Many of the trees are illuminated at night with strings of lights along their branches. St Gerard's is a brick church and monastery built on a promontory (Fitzgerald Point) overlooking Oriental Bay. The church was built in 1908 and the monastery in 1932. Together they form a distinctive landmark above the bay. The band rotunda in the middle of the beach at Oriental Bay is listed as
5829-412: 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
5916-555: The waterfront at the site of today's Freyberg Pool. The baths were enlarged in 1909. Schools held swimming lessons at the baths and swimming competitions took place there too. By the 1960s the baths were in disrepair: in 1962 a storm carried away a section of the wall and dressing rooms. The baths were replaced by Freyberg Pool, which opened in 1963. Trams began running along Oriental Parade in September 1904. They were replaced by buses in 1950. In 1911, Wellington City Council began building
6003-422: The waterfront. Public amenities developed further in the early 1900s included public transport, improvements to Te Aro baths, road improvements, construction of the promenade, installation of the band rotunda, opening of a tea kiosk, and planting of trees. In 1901 Meech's baths were demolished and Wellington City Council built new public baths with men's and women's sections, known as Te Aro baths , further along
6090-534: 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
6177-401: Was $ 57,000, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 513 people (38.8%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 687 (51.9%) people were employed full-time, 174 (13.2%) were part-time, and 24 (1.8%) were unemployed. Oriental bay and Roseneath (aerial photo 1947) Wellington Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand . It
6264-417: Was 130 ft by 72 ft, but it was enlarged in 1877. An 1897 description stated that "the baths are securely protected from the visits of sea monsters". Around the pool there were 34 dressing rooms and rooms for refreshments. From the 1870s a quarry existed near the base of Carlton Gore Road. A temporary railway line was built in the 1880s to take spoil from the quarry for the Te Aro reclamation. The former quarry
6351-429: Was 30.2, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.1% had no religion, 38.0% were Christian , 0.9% were Hindu , 0.2% were Muslim , 0.6% were Buddhist and 3.7% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 714 (54.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 66 (5.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
6438-561: 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
6525-510: 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
6612-563: 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
6699-405: Was an early Wellington resident and gardener who lived at Grass Street, Oriental Bay in a house named Roseneath Cottage. He opened Wilkinson's Tea Gardens at the bay in 1850. The tea gardens was a fashionable place to visit for many years until it closed in the early 20th century. Visitors would walk along the waterfront to enjoy tea and music in the tea rooms, wander around the garden and take away
6786-509: Was brought in to expand both Oriental and Freyberg Beach. Wind and waves cause the sand to shift, so twice a year Wellington City Council moves the sand around to maintain the beaches. In 2019 this was stated to cost about $ 70,000 per year. The sand needs to be topped up every ten to twelve years, so in 2015 the Council imported 2400 tonnes of sand from Dunedin. The sand at Oriental Bay is quite coarse-grained, to minimise loss to wind. Special soft sand
6873-584: 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
6960-420: Was developed into a small park in the early 1900s. Settlement of the area increased in the 1880s and residents and landowners began petitioning Wellington Harbour Board and Wellington City Council, asking that the bay not be used for industrial purposes such as ship repairs, that the road be improved and a promenade built, and that the bay should be kept clean of all the refuse and dead animals that swept up along
7047-425: Was originally known as Duppa Bay, after the first and only resident at the time, George Duppa, who later renamed the area Oriental Bay after the ship that he arrived in New Zealand on in 1840. The area was originally farm land and was used as a quarantine station with a nurse and tent on the beach and by whalers, which resulted in a pungent odour from the boiled whale blubber. David Wilkinson from Ayrshire, Scotland,
7134-659: Was redeveloped in a project costing $ 7.5 million. A grassed picnic area was enlarged, sand was brought in to extend the beach, and a pier, toilet block and multi-level sea platform were built. The project was awarded the George Malcolm Supreme Award in the Rural/Park/Recreational category of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects in 2004. 22,000 tonnes of sand from Wainui Bay in Golden Bay
7221-557: 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
7308-557: 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
7395-484: Was still growing grapes in hothouses at Oriental Bay in 1913. Wilkinson junior died in 1919 and the tea garden property was divided up for housing in 1923. The first public baths at Oriental Bay was an open-air saltwater pool opened in 1864 where the Clyde Quay boat harbour is now. The baths was operated for many years by Henry and Matilda Meech, and known as Te Aro baths, Clyde Quay baths or Meech's baths. The original pool
7482-707: 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,
7569-515: 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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