Horse town
Here is early Wellington on a good day, looking north down Lambton Quay. On the left, with the veranda, is Barrett’s Hotel, the social hub for many. On the right […]
The richest man in Wellington
Here is William Barnard Rhodes (1807–78), the richest man in early Wellington, photographed in 1858 with his first wife Sarah, and Maryann, his Māori daughter from an earlier relationship. It […]
Moonlight Geography: Wellington’s secret sexual history
Wellingtonians carry a sense of place everywhere we go. Our streets are dotted with locations of significance: hallowed Basin, gleaming Golden Mile. And then there are spots we leave off […]
The fastest woman in the world
Few places in Wellington are as rich in social history as the Basin Reserve. Nowadays, it is regarded internationally as one of the world’s oldest and best cricket grounds. Since […]
Agnes Bennett, motorist
Here is Dr Agnes Bennett (1872–1960), photographed with friends on a summer driving expedition in her new car. It was on the eve of World War I and they were […]
How to do Swedish drill
Here we are at the Wellington Girls’ College in Thorndon. It is Parents’ Day, 1927, and the girls are demonstrating their skill at Swedish drill. This particular move was called […]
The Wilson house, 1967
Through the 1960s, photographer and architecture researcher Duncan Winder had a mission. He was an enthusiast for good architecture and set himself the task of documenting it, all around Wellington […]
Sharp suits, 1960
It is always good to celebrate a successful Wellington business. Vance Vivian, Wellington’s very own top-of-the-range specialty men’s clothing store, has just turned 90. The company is still going strong, […]
Rugby in the rain, 1921
This month the All Blacks take on the South Africans at the Cake Tin. They are always our toughest rugby foes. This photograph is from the final test of the […]
Wellington goes to war, August 1914
A hundred years ago, on 4 August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. The following day, a hastily convened New Zealand Parliament pledged to help defend the Empire. Out on […]
