Brooklyn
Brooklyn was established in 1852 by John Fitchett senior as a dairy farm, and given the name 'Fitchett.' In 1888 Brooklyn adjoined Fitchett and was extended up the Brooklyn hill by Alfred Henry Miles. After Brooklyn Road cut through the town belt by Central Park, its development increased rapidly, with an electric tramway introduced in 1906.
Central Park
Central Park was established in 1913 on Town Belt land. The wrought iron gates at the entrance to the park were presented in 1920 by the then Mayor, John P Luke. During 1942-1944, Central Park was covered in tents housing US military troops. (picture here)
City to Sea Walkway
This 12 km walk from the Bolton St Memorial Park in Thorndon to Island Bay is well worth exploring. (more information)
Hawkins Hill
The prominent landmark on Hawkins Hill is the radar transmission station, used for communications and surveillance. Hawkins Hill provides a rugged backdrop south west of the city, contrasting strongly with the character of the adjacent urban areas.There are several mountain biking tracks on Hawkins Hill (pdf map).
Meridian Energy Wind Turbine
Ashton Fitchett Drive; at Poll Hill.The wind turbine was installed in March 1993 as a test for wind-generated power. Power generated by the turbine is injected into the local network for general distribution in Wellington. (Meridian's wind turbine page)
Penthouse Cinema
205 Ohiro Rd, Brooklyn.The Penthouse Cinema screens a wide range of interesting movies, as well as some new release favourites. The Penthouse was originally known as the Vogue Theatre, which was constructed for the Ranish family and opened on 15 June 1939. The building came under new ownership in 1975 when Merv and Carol Kisby bought the building, re-naming it the Penthouse Cinema. (more information)
Southern Landfill
Landfill Road, Owhiro Bay.The landfill includes a recycling centre to encourage recycling of materials. New Zealand's landfills are filling fast, but much of the rubbish people take to landfills could be recycled or composted. Landfills are for rubbish you can't dispose of by recycling and kerbside collections. Rubbish in landfills takes up to hundreds of years to break down. (more information)
Pol Hill Gun emplacements
Pol Hill gun emplacements were built March 1942 for the capital's defence in WWII. The Brooklyn battery is within the new Panorama Heights subdivision and the land it sits on has been allocated as reserve land. Brooklyn Battery had accommodation for 109 personnel. The site backs on to the firebreak running around the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. (more information)
Brooklyn Festival
A street festival is regularly held in late November, with the latest on 24 November 2007. It epitomises the community spirit and is very popular for stall holders and bargain getters alike. Telephone the Community Centre on 384 6799 for more info.
Notable Persons
John Fitchett arrived in Wellington in 1842 on the ship London and died in 1875. In 1899 his son A.B. Fitchett and R.B Todman decided to subdivide his land. A.B Fitchett imported the first milk separator in to New Zealand.Ann Pacey is one of New Zealand's great jazz and theatre divas. Her reputation is as big in London and New York as it is at home. She has appeared in many television programmes and movies over the years, including Pioneer Woman, and more recently she was a leading lady in the stage presentation of Chicago (playing Mama Morton) which toured for several months throughout New Zealand.
John Henry Heaton arrived in New Zealand in 1856, aboard the Lord Ashley. Worked as a customs and shipping agent and was a member of the harbour board. He was elected Mayor of Melrose borough, which was incorporated in 1888.
Chris McLean is the author of several histories and biographies, including Tararua: the story of a Mountain Range and John Pascoe.
Eirlys Hunter was born in London, 1952. She has written books for adults and children. We have several of her books, including The Quake, Between black & white and the Finn's Quest series.
(more information)
Architect Ernst Plischke (1903-1992) was born in Vienna and emigrated to New Zealand with his Jewish wife in 1939, to escape Hiltler's Nazism. We have several books on his works.
(more information)
Jane Thomson (1858-1944), Mountaineer.
(more information)
Shihad Shihad (once called Pacifier), originally from Wellington now in Melbourne, Australia, are the band leading the international Kiwi rock charge. Their albums are available at the library. Shihad are Jon Toogood (vocals and guitar), Tom Larkin (drums), Karl K (bass) and Phil Knight (guitar and keyboards).
(more information)
William Sutch (1907-1975) was a teacher, economist, writer and diplomat.
(more information)
Stephen Oliver poet and author, grew up in Brooklyn-west, Wellington, New Zealand. He has travelled extensively and worked in the broadcasting industry in Australia and New Zealand.
(more information)
Buildings
Brooklyn Community Center, 18 Harrison St, provides a space for the community to utilise, and a hall for recreational activities.
Brooklyn Kindergarten is located in the old library building, 22 Harrison Street.
(more information)
Brooklyn School, 58 Washington Ave.
Brooklyn Anglican Church. The old church clock was brought to Wellington in 1849, and was passed to the Brooklyn Anglican Church in 1879.
St Bernards School, 40 Taft Street.
(more information)
St Matthew's Joint Parish, 96 Washington Avenue.
A community church where Christians from many traditions worship together in a Church provided by co-operating Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterians.
Sutch House was designed by Ernst Plischke and built between 1953-56. The house is one of New Zealand's iconic residences with its modernist design.
Tower Studio, 58 Karepa Street, is a purpose built Tuscan tower overlooking the native bush reserve in Brooklyn.
(more information)
Library items on Brooklyn
Brooklyn Community Hall's 40th anniversary, Video.Early Brooklyn (1983) and Early Brooklyn Revisited (1998O by Joy Vickers.
St. Bernards School Brooklyn : 60th Jubilee. (1995)
The story of the faith in Wellington Central, compiled by Mary O'Driscoll (1959). Includes information on St. Anthony's Church.
The Streets of my City: Wellington, New Zealand, by F.L. Irvine-Smith (1948).
Brooklyn tattler, magazine published between 1990 and 1996.
Historical postcards
Useful Websites
Brooklyn LibraryElectorate Information (pdf)
Brooklyn Community Centre
Newspaper Clippings
Brooklyn library has a local history Vertical file beside the entrance. Look in the top drawers for information on Brooklyn. For more newspaper clippings, ask at the 2nd floor enquiry desk at the Central library.
