 Heritage > Miramar/Seatoun | ||
 features | notable persons | buildings | books | websites | clippings | ||
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Miramar means "Behold the sea" or "Wonderful Sea" and was named by the first settler on Watt's peninsula area, resident James Coutts Crawford, who arrived in Wellington in 1840. In 1872 he changed the name of Watt's Pennisula to Miramar. Miramar was the name of a house built for him by his brother-in-law, Major McBarnett. The original Maori name of the area was Whataitai.
On 18 November 1904, the Miramar Borough was formed. Seatoun was developed by James Coutts Crawford in 1879, and the name originates from a place in Forfarshire (UK) which was owned by the Crawford family.
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Features | ||
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Ataturk Memorial Historic Reserve (1990) Tarakena Bay. A memorial commemorating modern Turkey's first president, Mustafa Kemel Ataturk (1881 - 1938). Ataturk led Turkey's defence against the allies in the battle of Gallipoli in World War I. Beneath the memorial is a container of soil from Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. Beacon Hill Signal Station (1864) Wellington Harbour Radio (Beacon Hill) is the Port's permanently manned signal station and will receive all communications from vessels on a 24 hour basis. "The Cutting" This opening between Rongatoi and Miramar was constructed in 1910, at the same time as work on Burnham wharf was undertaken. A steam driven mechanical shovel was used in its construction. Fort Ballance (1885-1886) Point Gordon Located by Mount Crawford, Karaka Bays, Wellington's primary military fort until 1911 when Fort Dorset opened, Fort Ballance was closed in 1945 but remnants still remain. Massey Memorial (1927), Point Halswell The entrance is off Massey Road. This is a white marble memorial to William F Massey (former premier of NZ) who died in office in 1925. The Memorial was designed by Gummer and Ford. Mount Crawford Prison, Point Halswell (1915) In 1919 it was to become a female only prison. In 1924 it became a reformatory with a prison wing , offering work experience and skills. It is no longer a female only prison. Rangitau Historic Reserve and Maori Historic sites Rangitau Pa - Wellington's only remaining untouched pa site. Scorching Bay Domain Bathing sheds were first erected in 1931 on this popular swimming beach. The Chocolate Fish cafÃÂé is located across the road. The Eastern Walkway - runs from the Pass of Branda to Tarakena Bay . The walkway was opened in 1982; it was re-routed in the 1990s to its present state. The track is 2.5km long and takes about 1.15 hrs to walk. With superb views to the South Island from high coastal cliffs, this is one of Wellington superior walks. Guide maps can be purchased from the Tourist Information Centre. Wahine Memorial Park - This park has the Wahine's anchor and replicas of its ventilators. She hit Barrett Reef on 10 April 1968 and sunk off Steeple Rock. All about the Wahine Library resources on the Wahine Disaster
Weta Studios - Set of Lord of the Rings, Miramar. Peter Jackson's special effect studios are in this suburb.
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Notable People who have lived in the suburb
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James Coutts Crawford. A former Royal Naval Officer who arrived in Wellington in 1839. He settled on Watts peninsular to set up a large dairy and butchery business. Jonah Lomu (1975- ) The first rugby superstar in professional rugby. He exploded on the world rugby stage at the 1995 Hong Kong sevens. One of the youngest and biggest wingers ever and made his All black debut when only 19 years 45 days old. Peter Jackson (Film Director and Producer) (1961-) His first film was the home made horror movie "Bad taste" filmed in 1987. He recently completed the Lord of the Rings trilogy. | ||
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Buildings
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Church of the Holy Cross, Miramar (1960) - located on the corner of Hobart St and Miramar Ave. This is an impressive building with buttresses supporting a cantilevered overhang of the curved roof, (a first for a church in New Zealand). The bell was shipped from Limerick in Ireland for the church by the church curate. Fort Dorset; (1911) a battery of 12 pounder guns was set up here during WWII. This land was formerly the site of Oruaiti Pa, an old Rangitane stockaded village near where Kupe landed. Pilot's Cottage, 229 Marine Parade, Worser Bay. The first occupant was Captain J A Scott. St George's Anglican Church (1896), Seatoun. Current church building opened in 1957. There is a carving of St George and the Dragon on the glass window at the west end. Whetu Kairangi Pa Built by the maori chief Tara when he bought his people here to settle. The name refers to stars in the heavens. The place was so named because villagers could see no other villages at night, or, from the beach, the cooking fires looked like stars. Art and Craft House, Seatoun
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Book titles on Whekenui
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Early days on the Miramar Peninsula / by J.M. & B.M. Kenneally. 1981. Miramar headland, prospects and possibilities: proceedings and report of a seminar held on 24 September 1995, St Patrick's College, Kilbirnie. 1995! Miramar Peninsula: a historical and social study / by John Struthers. 1975. Miramar Peninsula: a snapshot of the people and the Peninsula. Wellington City Council. [2001] Saint George and the seaside dragon : a centennial history of the Parish of Seatoun-Strathmore. Author Tannock, David A. (David Alexander), 1946- The Streets of my City: Wellington, New Zealand. Irvine-Smith, F.L.; 1948. Those were the days / by Bernard Kaiser. 1983. Waka, ferry, tram: Seatoun and the bays before 1958 / by Bob O'Brien.
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Newspaper Clippings
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| To look at newspaper vertical file information on Miramar/ Seatoun., please ask at the enquiries desk. For more newspaper clippings, ask at the 2nd floor enquiry desk at the Central library. |
