Wellington: History & Heritage

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[{"address":"Bolton Hotel","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_0.mp3?alt=media&token=4e854581-b4ff-4d89-87f0-86b76410ea53","placeId":"ChIJsy_6QSquOG0RD1U0549UuQE","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.1333824686233443,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.27925321394102,"longitude":174.77463854999996},"media":[{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Fbolton-ship-v4.jpeg?alt=media&token=2c34aeee-ca17-49d0-8ae5-33a267bd78c5"},{"type":"text","content":"### The Bolton Ship"},{"type":"text","content":"Our tour begins in Bolton Hotel's lobby. Bolton Street was named after one of the first immigrant ships to arrive in New Zealand in the 1800s, you can see a replica of the ship in the lobby. Look a little closer and you can see the passenger manifest, many of our guests have even recognised ancestors amongst the names. Do you recognise any names?"},{"type":"text","content":"### The Harris Rose"},{"type":"text","content":"Legend has it that one of the passengers, Sophia Harris, brought a cutting of her favourite rose, Rosa multiflora 'Carnea', which she carefully nurtured by ingeniously planting it in a potato. The rose cutting survived the long and hazardous journey and now the roses in the Bolton Memorial Gardens, our next stop, are descendants of the Harris rose. The story of Sophia Harris inspires everything we do at Bolton Hotel, using independent thought to nurture what we care about the most; our guests."},{"type":"text","content":"Before we proceed with our tour, why not grab a takeaway coffee from the Lobby Café or Artisan on Level 1."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Fcoffee.jpg?alt=media&token=aa27847d-eb9c-400b-bb8c-d57e440aa03e"},{"type":"text","content":"### Rita Angus - A family connection"},{"type":"text","content":"As you leave the hotel, take a look at the mural on the side of the building. It's a huge-scale representation of 'Rutu', one of Rita Angus' most famed artworks. A reproduction of her original work can also be seen in the Lobby."},{"type":"text","content":"Rita Angus (1908-70) is one of New Zealand’s most significant, loved and respected artists. Her landscapes and portraits successfully combined the sense of New Zealand with the artistic movements of Europe and North America, yet succeeded in forging a distinct style of her own."},{"type":"text","content":"The eldest of seven siblings, each remarkable in their own right, Rita forged a career as an artist with an unwavering, pioneering and uncompromising approach to her artistic vision with support from her forward-thinking family."},{"type":"text","content":"Rita Angus is the Aunt of the hotel’s Managing Director Warwick Angus and the entire team at Bolton Hotel embraces her pioneering spirit."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Fwork-in-progress-two.jpeg?alt=media&token=00b9e7c3-7e2c-4636-9be2-1a716dda82d5"},{"type":"text","content":"The mural you see today was installed in 2019, painted by prolific street artist Sean Duffell."},{"type":"text","content":"Duffell’s work can be seen in every major city in New Zealand as well as having painted walls throughout Australia, Thailand, Cambodia and Brazil. His style is instantly recognisable to many Wellingtonians; 'Rutu' joins a series of his commissions across the capital. However, it's the first of its kind in the Terrace area of Wellington’s CBD and provides a colourful marker for the area."}]},{"address":"Te Whare Taonga o te Urupā - Bolton Street Cemetery Museum","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_1.mp3?alt=media&token=b5de47da-770a-4ec9-a387-3145f9c1ed9a","placeId":"ChIJkz4XbyquOG0RBHy0dEzXdNo","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.1333824686233443,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.279553563941164,"longitude":174.77438},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Our first stop is just a stone's throw from Bolton Hotel. This free museum highlights some of the gravesites of Wellington's notable citizens."},{"type":"place","content":{"place_id":"ChIJkz4XbyquOG0RBHy0dEzXdNo"}},{"type":"text","content":"### Wellington's names"},{"type":"text","content":"When European settlers arrived in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) in 1840, they replaced many of the Māori names. The map on the wall details the citizens and families whom many of Wellington's streets, laneways and suburbs have been named after."},{"type":"text","content":"Some of Wellington's Māori names remain, including Pipitea, which contains Parliament, and Te Aro, the Southern part of the CBD."},{"type":"text","content":"### Rita's 'Flight' & Bolton Street Cemetary"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Fdove%20study.jpg?alt=media&token=ed722285-5fd8-4d64-ad9f-26edbd580f7e"},{"type":"text","content":"In the early 1960s, Rita Angus was horrified to hear that Bolton Street Cemetary, which you stand in now, would be divided in two, with thousands of graves shifted to make way for the motorway. As well as protesting the building of the motorway, Rita visited the cemetery before, during and after the demolition work. While documenting the displaced headstones she was drawn to a carved stone dove from one of the headstones. This sketch eventually made its way into her final completed work 'Flight'. A reproduction of 'Flight' can be viewed here."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Funknown%20dove.jpg?alt=media&token=b4975764-5f56-4e13-bad3-0d24eda9588e"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Frita-at-the-cemetary.jpg?alt=media&token=52e33291-800a-4b89-8c50-d3287eece466"},{"type":"text","content":"As you stroll through the cemetery, do you recognise any of the headstones from Rita's sketches?"}]},{"address":"Seddon Memorial","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_2.mp3?alt=media&token=24517127-5147-432b-ac74-ee9de729dd86","placeId":"ChIJP2v3otWxOG0RbnwcFyYsJ78","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.1576617659073171,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.27960081394119,"longitude":174.7715831},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Following the City to Sea walkway, you'll cross the bridge over the motorway, taking you to the upper cemetery."},{"type":"text","content":"Follow the Robertson Way path for the most direct route."},{"type":"text","content":"### Plimmer Detour"},{"type":"text","content":"If you've a little more time to explore, take a left after crossing the bridge to take the Friend's Path and another left to take the Powles Path. This will take you to the grave of John Plimmer, often referred to as the 'father of Wellington' due to his prolific construction and lobbying for land reclamation, railways and harbour facilities."},{"type":"text","content":"### Lookout"},{"type":"text","content":"Back on the Robertson Way, heading uphill, keep an eye out for the lookout. You'll find it behind the brick outline of the Robertson's Cottage (the remains of the home of the Cemetary's Sexton)."},{"type":"text","content":"This raised lookout affords great views of the colonial houses of Tinakori Road, built around the same time as the cemetery. These buildings were also of great interest to Rita Angus, below is a sketch that informed her painting 'View from Tinakori Road'."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2FThorndon-houses.jpg?alt=media&token=70a43f84-25f9-437c-b9c1-e46ef7343e1d"},{"type":"text","content":"### Rita Angus Cottage"},{"type":"text","content":"When living in Wellington, Rita resided in a small cottage on Sydney St West, the red tin roof of the cottage can also be seen from the lookout."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Frita-angus-cottage.jpg?alt=media&token=19820257-d2b2-4d7b-8f47-45f917602015"},{"type":"link","title":"Learn more about the Rita Angus Cottage","content":"https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/2291/Listing"},{"type":"text","content":"### Political figures"},{"type":"text","content":"As you come to the exit of the Cemetery, you'll pass the graves of some notable political figures, Henry Edmund Holland, leader of the New Zealand Labour Party from 1918 - 1933, and Richard John Seddon, New Zealand's 15th Premier, serving from 1893 until he died in 1905. Following tireless activism from Kate Sheppard, the leading light of the New Zealand women’s suffrage movement, Seddon's government brought in votes for women in 1893 (the first country in the world to do so) though Seddon himself objected to the act!"},{"type":"place","content":{"place_id":"ChIJP2v3otWxOG0RbnwcFyYsJ78"}}]},{"address":"Lady Norwood Rose Garden","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_3.mp3?alt=media&token=79dff543-54c0-4ff8-a011-1ff2bcfa642f","placeId":"ChIJT7E389SxOG0RN094HKC4CB0","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.1333824686233443,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.280331463941536,"longitude":174.76955410000002},"media":[{"type":"place","content":{"place_id":"ChIJT7E389SxOG0RN094HKC4CB0"}},{"type":"text","content":"Head past Anderson park and you'll find the picturesque Lady Norwood Rose Garden. Established in 1953, the Victorian-style garden is home to more than 300 varieties of roses which are at their best between November and March. The Rose Garden is a popular spot with locals and forms just part of the city's sprawling Botanic Garden."},{"type":"text","content":"Without Sophia Harris' rose cutting, brought over on the Bolton Ship, no roses would have grown in New Zealand!"},{"type":"text","content":"While you're here, be sure to visit the Begonia House, the Victorian-inspired conservatory and explore the neighbouring Peace Garden home to the Peace Flame, presented to Wellington in 1994 by Hiroshima City in recognition of the city's contribution to the nuclear-free movement."}]},{"address":"Picnic Cafe","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_4.mp3?alt=media&token=15f97e57-58f2-404d-8975-8fba24c478e9","placeId":"ChIJt1i6edOxOG0RZ1VBVzgwS6A","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.21359634952355827,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.2811071139419,"longitude":174.76949849999997},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"### Need a break?"},{"type":"text","content":"Our Front Office Manager Nona always recommends stopping at Picnic Café, nestled within the Begonia House, they're open every day except Christmas Day. Known for hearty brunch options, they're also great for takeaway coffees. Save room for something sweet as we're heading to Tinakori Road's GOODS bakery next!"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2FNona.png?alt=media&token=bc7ce343-e888-4b8c-b5e6-530c9a2323db"},{"type":"place","content":{"place_id":"ChIJt1i6edOxOG0RZ1VBVzgwS6A"}}]},{"address":"GOODS Manufactory and Cafe","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_5.mp3?alt=media&token=61d0085a-4fdf-4667-b7a8-3c23b3d7b62f","placeId":"ChIJS2NlEtSxOG0RkG7gfiCSVAI","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.21359634952355827,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.27881051394077,"longitude":174.76899705000002},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"### Tinakori Road"},{"type":"text","content":"You may recognise Tinakori Road from the lookout earlier. This quaint street is brimming with old-world charm and a mix of antique shops and cafés"},{"type":"text","content":"### GOODS Manufactory and Cafe"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2FGoods_0017.jpeg?alt=media&token=34058d87-4f46-4833-b117-e4f86534a897"},{"type":"place","content":{"place_id":"ChIJS2NlEtSxOG0RkG7gfiCSVAI"}},{"type":"text","content":"A great pit-stop to refuel before exploring Tinakori Road's antique shops, GOODS bakes everything fresh daily. Ever-present favourites are the Almond Croissants, Cinnamon Morning Buns, Ham and Egg Pie, and Red Pesto twists along with Supreme Coffee."},{"type":"text","content":"If you're looking for something a little stronger, the neighbouring Sprig + Fern Tavern is home to craft beers, wines and spirits."}]},{"address":"Tinakori Antiques","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_6.mp3?alt=media&token=56e6982a-20a9-4944-9171-a7f7861c860a","placeId":"ChIJb7UoPNSxOG0RkXzsXLgFzes","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.21359634952355827,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.27851081394063,"longitude":174.76968335},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Tinakori Road is an Antique lover's dream, shops like Tinakori Antiques are a treasure trove of collectables, glass, ceramics and jewellery."},{"type":"place","content":{"place_id":"ChIJb7UoPNSxOG0RkXzsXLgFzes"}}]},{"address":"National Library of New Zealand","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_7.mp3?alt=media&token=b31ad54d-6a92-45ab-b116-dc0e85350978","placeId":"ChIJh2QUSCmuOG0RnJE-O20rdqM","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.21359634952355827,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.2766659139397,"longitude":174.77842330000001},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"The National Library is home to the Treaty of Waitangi, the country's iconic constitutional document. (A recreation of the document can be found in Te Papa but this is the real deal)."},{"type":"text","content":"### He Tohu Exhibit"},{"type":"text","content":"He Tohu is the permanent exhibition of 3 iconic constitutional documents that shape Aotearoa New Zealand. Here you can view the Treaty document, along with the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand and the Women's Suffrage Petition."},{"type":"place","content":{"place_id":"ChIJh2QUSCmuOG0RnJE-O20rdqM"}}]},{"address":"Old St Paul's","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_8.mp3?alt=media&token=ed4d8c41-939f-4a66-abd2-221767f2bd27","placeId":"ChIJ-UKF7y6uOG0ReLoLIM1trtM","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.13368980150035661,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.27627101393955,"longitude":174.78014025000002},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Old St. Paul's hides a lot behind its unassuming exterior. Its magnificent wooden interior has been described as an upturned galleon with soaring wooden arches."},{"type":"place","content":{"place_id":"ChIJ-UKF7y6uOG0ReLoLIM1trtM"}},{"type":"text","content":"Be sure to pick up one of the self-guided visitor booklets which detail the countless stories behind St. Paul's. For example, the church's carved oak pulpit was installed in 1908 in memory of Richard Seddon, the premier whose grave we've seen earlier."}]},{"address":"Thistle Inn","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_9.mp3?alt=media&token=7836c712-24e6-44ed-ae62-2b0f9b0558f3","placeId":"ChIJBwm8oy6uOG0Rl4sgTNx4-KM","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.21359634952355827,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.277657213940216,"longitude":174.77974899999998},"media":[{"type":"place","content":{"place_id":"ChIJBwm8oy6uOG0Rl4sgTNx4-KM"}},{"type":"text","content":"If you're in need of refreshment, the nearby Thistle Inn is the oldest surviving bar and restaurant in Wellington and the recipient of the second-ever liquor license issued in the country! (The first was issued for the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell in the Bay of Islands). "}]},{"address":"New Zealand Parliament Buildings","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_10.mp3?alt=media&token=f91ef497-ef69-4b89-9ff3-3e0691b61b6b","placeId":"ChIJw8GD2iuuOG0R91WlKy681_0","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.2163623454166691,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.27772666732135,"longitude":174.7766997},"media":[{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2FIMG_4543.jpg?alt=media&token=447a0bc7-69cf-47b3-9cea-32be1db696e7"},{"type":"text","content":"### A Political Buzz"},{"type":"text","content":"No visit to Wellington would be complete without a visit to the home of New Zealand's government, Parliament House, Parliamentary Library and the iconic Beehive."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2FIMG_4551.jpg?alt=media&token=cf504ce1-a213-42bb-8532-edbf79ca2293"},{"type":"text","content":"The Parliamentary Library is the oldest of the Parliament buildings, designed by Thomas Turnbull in the Victorian Gothic Style."},{"type":"text","content":"Parliament House was first occupied in 1918 after the original building was destroyed in a fire in 1907. This neo-classical building is home to the Chamber, where the country's House of Representatives debate bills."},{"type":"text","content":"Finally, the iconic Beehive, designed by Sir Basil Spence, was completed in 1979 and is home to the Executive Wing, where the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers have their offices. It's also home to the visitor centre where free guided tours begin throughout the day. Pre-booking for tours is required for a tour and full details can be found at the following link."},{"type":"link","title":"Parliament Tours","content":"https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/visit/guided-tours/"},{"type":"text","content":"If the Parliament Tours are fully booked, or you're running low on time, you can explore the grounds with a self-guided tour available at the link below."},{"type":"link","title":"Self-guided Parliament Tour","content":"https://www.parliament.nz/media/8685/outdoor-tour-map-and-information-2019.pdf"}]},{"address":"Artisan at Bolton Hotel","ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Ftts_11.mp3?alt=media&token=10471327-0e61-4b8c-a297-f5c03f313566","placeId":"ChIJFzqhQSquOG0RhU4p21kwONU","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.21359634952355827,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":-41.279430213941076,"longitude":174.7748045},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"It's been a pleasure sharing the city's history and heritage with you. As we conclude our journey back at Bolton Hotel, I'd like to extend a warm thank you for accompanying me."},{"type":"text","content":"### Wine Down"},{"type":"text","content":"As I'm sure you've built up an appetite and a thirst, be sure to visit Artisan on level one of the hotel, why not rest your feet and indulge in our Wine Down service between 3 pm and 6 pm. This includes chef's choice sharing platter to share and two glasses of house wine for $60."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FSgnEggiNZr3Wz9HaC7k8%2Fwine%20down01.jpg?alt=media&token=a26dd2ae-7f67-4d46-b847-40da49e88849"},{"type":"text","content":"### Join us for dinner"},{"type":"text","content":"Looking for something more substantial? Why not book a table for this evening and enjoy our bistro menu..."},{"type":"link","title":"Book Now","content":"https://booking.resdiary.com/widget/Standard/Artisan1/6201"}]}]