I was aware that the Massey Memorial exsisted after doing  2 walks around from Miramar Wharf to Moa Point via Seatoun.

 It sits hidden from view from the road below and from the departing ferries that pass it many times  during the day and night,although you might  sneak a glimse of the  white granite or marble  through the trees.

 It sits above Point Halswell on the head of the Miramar Peninsula which is on the Eastern side of Evans Bay . Sitting almost below it on the rocks is a small working Light House for all boats either heading into Wellington Harbour or round to Evans Bay Marina.

 Between the gaps in the trees you can see Soames Island sitting in the harbour, Mount Victoria with its transmitter sitting proudley on top or across the water to Eastbourne and the hills behond.

 Its the place to be on a good day to either see a sunrise or sunset.

 It takes its name from a NZ primeminister of New Zealand called William Massey who was the country’s PM from 1912 to 1925. He died in 1925 whilst still in office. His wife Christina Massey is also buried on the site.



 The govenment at the time passed a bill allowing it to be built on the 0.8 hectere site. The sited had been used during WW1 for defence purposes but after the war had been left to become delerect.

 Using what was already there the designers turned the fort into what is there now with the gun pit being used as a vault.

  The rest of the site was completed in 1930 and has not changed much since then.The dome at the end overlooking the water was orginally the gun pit.

 The memorial was made with Coromandel Granite at its base with the rest being Kairuru Marble,

 Getting there: Unless you intend to walk around to it the best was is to use a car. Coming from the Miramar Wharf you will pass through Shelly Bay and then about 100metres after that you will see a few parking places over looking the water. Opposite the parking is a small white sign next to some steps. Climb the steps and you will walk along a  gentle track until you arrive at the Memorial.

 The memoral is to your left and a little way to your right is a small tack that takes you up towards a old telgraph post where you will get some further views of the area.