At Karaka Bay
Here are some of the late-19th century Māori residents of Karaka Bay, in one of several similar photographs by Henry Wright (1844–1932). The Pākehā woman is probably Wright’s daughter, while […]
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 […]
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 […]
Absolutely Positively Wellington, 1841
Here is young Charles Heaphy’s view of Te Aro flat, from his cottage up on Flagstaff Hill, above the Lambton Quay/Willis Street intersection. Willis Street skirts the harbour and heads […]
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 […]
