We are very lucky to have a number of areas that can be enjoyed. These vary from the small to the large and wild.Oruaitu is no exception.
Quietly sitting at the end of the Miramar Peninsular is The Oruaitu Reserve (formally Point Dorset) and for many people who drive around this coastline they will not as much as give it a second glance.
There is nothing that really stands out that shows how nuch history there is on this small section of coastline.
Oruaitu Reserve sits proudly above and between Seatoun with great views of Wellington Harbour on one side and Breaker Bay with views of Pencarrow light houses,the Cook Straits and if you are luck you may even catch a glimpse of the South Island.
The reserve extends up a small ridge from Churchill Park in Seatoun and covers the headland over to Breaker Bay.
The first resident in the area was James Coutts Crawford who bought the deeds from the NZ Company in the 1840’s, who then established a quary to the west of Breaker Bay.
Point Dorset itself was named afer a early European settler called Dr John Dorset who was a local politician and surgeon
As the point sat above the entrance to the harbour it was used by both the Maori and the Euopeans tp protect the entrance.
During 1905 and 1991 the area was used by the NZ Defence Force as part of its coastal defence and training.
Remains of the military bunkers and assorted building can still be seen and these can be explored giving a idea of what the military were living and working and why this area was well suited for the purpose.
In 2000The Department of Conservation took over the management of the coastal so that it could protect the access for the public as well as the historic and the eco system.
Then in 2009 the area was transfered to the Trust via the Port Nicholson Block as part of the Clains Settlement Act 2009.
Wellington Council took over the control and management of the land as a Recreation Reserve ( section 26 of the 1977 Reserve Act)
Note: The Reserve has a cultural and spirituallu significant to Taranaki Whanui and contains a old Oruaiti Pa.
As part of the improvements to the area a grant of $400000 from the Plimmer Bequest Fund which helped to upgrade the tracks, install steps and signage.
Some 3000 plants were also planted by mayor Celia Wade-Brown and volunteers in June 2012 as part of Arbor Day followed by another 2000.
Also part of this upgrade work was done to improve and protect the habitat of the Little Blue Penquins that breed in the area.
The Oruaiti Reserve is one of only a few sites on the coastline of Wellington that is not containtained by roads or sea walls. This haelped many native plants including Pingao and the thick leaved Mahoe to survive.
The track signage is to help maintan the plants and the remaining dunes that surrounds the area.
The centre piece of these impovements was the installation of a 17 metre long Waka structure which symbolises the arrival of a Waka into Wellington’s Harbour.
A dawn blessing was conducted on Wednesday 21st November at 06.00am to celebrate the completion of the new walkway and other work on the reserve.
Take care around the reserve as it is exposed and the cliffs are steep and dangerous.
Getting There:
There is parking in Seatoun near Chrurchill Park and also in Breaker Bay. Both have access to the Reserve and are well signed.
The #11 bus from Wellington via Kilbirnie to Seatoun. The last stop is near Churchill Park.
Oruatiu Reserve Map
Port Dorset Management Plan.
Military History
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