Wellington Harbour: an historical perspective

Abstract

Wellington Harbour is a resource rich in history and romance. It has always been the focal point for social and economic change which has affected the whole of New Zealand. Initially in this study I wanted to look at what exists now, and to consider whether that which exists does or does not work within the confines of today's context, and why. However, to accomplish this I had first to record the historical, social, economic and technological framework upon which the Harbour was created. Therefore, in this report I have focussed primarily on the background material which I hope will be of use to persons who, in the future, must decide whether or not to retain existing harbour facilities. From Maori oral history and legend, and the written history after European settlement, I have attempted to write a full history of the Wellington Harbour, and the characters who still haunt its everchanging shoreline in the 1980s.