Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 11-A stroll in Wellington- 4/21/2024

We have a few hours before dinner so we are strolling down Wellington and trying to see the city.

Here we are at Lambton Quay often called Wellington's "Golden Mile" because there is a vibrant mix of history and urban charm. 

The prominent building with a clock tower that reads MLC is the Mutual Life & Citizens Assurance Company Building, commonly known as the MLC Building.  Completed: 1940; designed in Art Deco/Modern style by the architectural firm Mitchell & Mitchell, The Clock was installed in 1953 and the striking clock tower became an iconic feature shortly after.

The area is lined with National and international retailers, department stores, fashion boutiques, and souvenirs.

The statue of a man walking alongside his dog on Lambton Quay is a bronze representation of John Plimmer and his dog Fritz. Born in England in 1812, he became a prominent Wellington entrepreneur and civic leader. He helped develop the waterfront (famously converting a ship into “Plimmer’s Ark”) and championed the local railway so much so that Plimmerton bears his name.

The sculpture was created by Tom Tischler, and this life-size bronze was unveiled in 1996 at the foot of the Plimmer Steps . It captures John Plimmer sporting a top hat and cane, with his faithful dog Fritz trotting by his side.  Located on Plimmer Steps, just off Lambton Quay. It’s become a beloved, quirky photo spot especially early in the morning, when the empty urban lane makes the bronze duo feel almost surreal.

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Woman of Words is a striking bronze‑toned stainless steel sculpture of celebrated author Katherine Mansfield. Located in Midland Park on Lambton Quay, this 10.8 ft. tall artwork was created by Virgina King and unveiled in 2013. Laser-cut quotations: Mansfield’s own words, from her short stories and journals are intricately cut into the figure’s robe and body, visible during the day and glowing at night.

In the distance is Victoria Mount.

Straight ahead is the Lambton Harbor in the distance

The old Bank Arcade with a beautiful dome, it used to be the head office of the Bank of New Zealand, built in the late 1800s.

Outside, on display in the street are remnants of old building foundations and columns from the 19th century, preserved as part of Wellington’s heritage

Columns

Map of the Palliser Estate.

Sculptural Column” by Catherine Griffiths, located outside the Old Bank Arcade on Lambton Quay.  It's a vertical steel column featuring entangled, abstract letterforms, almost like a twisting script or calligraphy, though not meant to be read like normal text. It’s part of Wellington’s public art trail, blending language, design, and urban environment

The famous Beehive, a distinctive executive wing of New Zealand’s Parliament in Wellington  but universally known as the Beehive. It's part of the Parliamentary complex, nestled between Bowen House and the original Parliament House on Lambton Quay.

 Inspired by an old woven "skep" beehive, hence the nickname, designed in 1964 by architect Sir Basil Spence and was built between 1969-1981; inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1977

The Old High Court was originally the Supreme Court located on Stout Street, just off Lambton Quay in Wellington.

For over a century (1881–1993), this served as New Zealand’s Supreme Court (later called the High Court), hosting all Chief Justices of the era

This is the view of the building from the back.

Built 1879–1881 in a Neo-Palladian style by architect Pierre Finch Martineau Burrows. Notably, it was the first masonry building constructed by the government in Wellington post‑1855 earthquake

After the High Court moved to Molesworth Street in 1993, the old building stood empty until it was restored and seismically strengthened (with 130 base isolators) as part of the modern Supreme Court complex and was reopened in 2010.

BNZ Place, the gleaming new headquarters of the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), located on the corner of Whitmore Street and Customhouse Quay, just a short stroll from Lambton Quay.  It is a modern 14‑story office tower clad in reflective blue glass, with sleek curved lines and a structural steel diagrid that gives it a snakeskin-like texture

We are now heading to the harbor

We are now at the Wellington Waterfront Walk.

Moon over the harbor.

  Wellington’s most striking waterfront murals, painted on Shed 1 by acclaimed Māori artist Graeme Hoete (also known as “Mr G”). The mural captures Dame Temuranga Batley-Jackson, a local icon who devoted her life to public service in Te Whanganui‑a‑Tara.

The Wellington waterfront along the harbor is lined with restaurants, cafés, shops, and public art, making it one of the city's most vibrant and scenic places to stroll, dine, or relax.

 This area is really nice to walk around.

The striking glass-fronted building you’re seeing by Wellington Harbor is known as 20 Customhouse Quay, commonly referred to as the Deloitte Center.   Completed in late 2017, the building includes Deloitte’s offices on levels 11–13 (and possibly parts of 12), with sleek façades that reflect the water and sky.

Wellington Harbor also known by its Māori name Te Whanganui-a-Tara is one of the most striking urban harbors in the Southern Hemisphere, offering panoramic views, vibrant waterfront life, and natural beauty all wrapped into one.

  The harbor is a natural deep-water harbor formed by an ancient, flooded volcanic crater. Surrounded by rolling green hills and sheltered from the wild Cook Strait, the harbor creates a calm, shimmering basin that reflects light dramatically throughout the day from crisp blue mornings to golden sunset glows.

The harbor is so pretty at this hour when the light is changing into a pinkish and blue hue.

Boat parking near Shed 1.

Shed 6 and TSB Arena are two prominent venues located in Wellington, New Zealand, often used for events and gatherings.

 The structure with the large triangular canopy on top is a distinctive feature of the complex, often recognized from afar.  It is Wellington’s largest indoor performance and sporting venue.

NEXT... Dinner at Charley Noble