Out There in Wellington

Out There in Wellington: Dragon Boat Racing

Wellington’s Dragon Boat Festival is the largest of its type in New Zealand which started in 1985.
With teams from New Zealand, Australia as well as teams from schools and business.The event occurs over one weekend in March.
It started as a corporate event but it did not take long for it to expand to its current format.Teams are allowed 8 training seasons beginning in Dec and end before the event.
There are over 80 teams taking place over the weekend and there are many grades ensuring that many will walk away with a prize.

The course is situated in front of Frank Kitts Park. It is 320 metres in length and 50 metres out from the shore.All the teams enter the boats in Aotea Lagoon which is located behind the Boat Shed and then they enter the harbour underneath the foot bridge.

As part of the activities a number of land based activities take place including stalls and entertainments for the expected crowd of thousands and those teams waiting to take part.

Saturdays racing are for the corporate and sport teams as well as the adult teams whilst Sunday is for the school teams.
Each boat has 20 paddlers one person who stands at the back-called a sweep-and a drummer who sits at the front.

Dragon Boating involves 20 paddlers in one boat, a sweep who stands at the back to steer the boat and a drummer who sits on the front

Wellington held the Club Crew Championships in 1992

A Brief History:
According to legend the Chinese Statesman Chy’n Yuan drowned himself in the Mi Lo river in protest over the corrupt regime of the Ch’u Dynasty back in 400BC.
The local fishermen went out in their boats to save him but were too late. They started to beat their paddles onto the water to prevent his body being eaten by fish.Also rice was thrown into the water as a sacrifice to his spirit.

Local fishermen raced out in their boats to save him, but were too late. To prevent his body being eaten by fish they beat their paddles furiously on the water and threw rice as a sacrifice to his spirit.
Today we commemorate his death each year by racing at the spectacular Dragon Boat Festivals that happen around the world.
*Information taken from Dragonboat.org.nz

Dragon Boat Main Web Page

Wellington Dragon Boat Facebook Page

Wikipedia Dragon Boat History

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Out There in Wellington. Kilbirnie Festival

The Kilbirnie is one of tte largest community events,. It started back in 1995 and has been proved to be successful every since with around 40000 people visiting during the day.

With hundreds of stalls selling art,crafts and food as well as local community groups giving those who visit a chance to see what as a community has to offer.

As with any event like this there is a area for the youngsters as well as areas for performers to entertain. The most popular stage is the main stage located with the junction of Rongotai Road.

It is always held around the 2nd weekend in March (Sunday) and opens from 10am to 4pm

A Storm Trooper and the Local Zumba teachers enjoying the sounds the Beatles Tribute Band Called Revolver

Capital Productions:Event Management

Pictures from 2013

james/wildbaynz/windyhillflyingclub

Out There in Wellington;Hidden Art:Pottery Lamp;Wellinton Botanical Gardens

Near the scented garden at Wellington’s Botanical Gardens is a lift. This lift takes you up to the The Tree House.
Located to one side of the doors is a piece of art called The Pottery Lamp which was designed by the artist Roy Cowan.
This piece was donated to the Botanical gardens by Winsome Shepherd who was a founder member of The Friends of Wellington Botanical Gardens.

Also located on the wall behind the Pottery Lamp are a number of clay tiles.. The tile are in memory of Betty Campbell for who work with groups who seeked to promote social well being of Wellingtons residents. She was a councillor between 1968 and 1983.

Wellington Botanical Gardens

james/wildbaynz/windy hill flying club.

Out There in Wellington: Newtown Fair 2013

A Short History.

It was back in 1997 that the Carrara Park Carnival moved to Riddiford Street as part of the celebration for the tree planting and street improvements.
The Newtown Street Fair was so successful that the local Residents Association continued to run the annual event.

The same people have been planning the event with many volunteers helping which have made the event as popular as it is. It is also the largest event of its type in New Zealand.

Back in 2008 no fewer than 2008 a crowd of 60000 attended and a staff of 132 help to keep the day running smoothly.

The even is not for profit. The aim has been to showcase Newtown and its community. Any money made from the event goes towards all future events

Many months goes into planning which involves everyone from the Council, Business and those living in the area.

Newtown Fair 2013 3rd March 2013

Although cloudy it was a wonderful 18c. By lunch time Riddiford Street and the side streets were humming.

The streets were full of people enjoying the weather and all were taking time to check all the stalls out and tasting the food and drink that were on offer.

The stalls were selling a wide selection of goods including clothes, hand made goods, pictures as well as food.
The local shops and restaurants were also open providing them with the opportunity to showcase their wares.

The different sound stages gave different groups the chance to show their skills to those who attended. The most popular interms of crowd was the main stage when Newtown Rocksteady who got the crowd up and dancing.

A lot of different street preformers were out and about entertaining the crowds as they walked between the streets and stalls.

The Box of Curious Delight produced a smile to all those that took a look.

Otherwise there were the Storm Troopers and a man on a bike with a portable music device or people blowing bubbles.

Even the MC of the main stage got into the grove whilst Latin Aotearoa was on stage. Even a couple got up to dance away.

Even if the locals did not want to take a stroll they could enjoy the event with a birds eye view

A Short History from http://www.newtownfestival.org.nz/about-us

Newtowns Festival Twitter Account

Newtown Festival Facebook Page

james/wildbaynz/windyhillflyingclub.

Out There in Wellington: Wahine Memorials

The Wahine disaster happened on 10th April 1968 when the Wahine a ferry operated by the Union Steam Ship Co. which ran services between Lyttelton and Wellington, capsized on Barrett Reef near the entrance to Wellington Harbour. 53 people lost their lives out of the 733 passengers and crew that were on board at the time.

Located around Wellington are 3 main sites where a memorial is located in memory to the tragedy that occurred.

The 2 main locations are either side of where the sinking occurred.

The 1st one is in situated on the outskirts of Eastbourne opposite the Bus Barn terminus. The site overlooks the Seatoun where the other main site is located.

Eastbourne

The Eastbourne memorial was unveiled on April 10th 2010 and includes on of masts that were salvaged from the Wahine. Also there are wooden structures that give the feel of a wooden sailing boats, and the whole area has been planted with native plants.

Seatoun Memorial Garden

On the other from Eastbourne is the Seatoun Memorial Gardens. It is located in Churchill Park overlooking Wellington Harbour and also looks towards the Eastbourne Memorial.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary on 10th April a silver link was added to the chain.*

It has a nautical theme and it includes a anchor that was salvaged from the Wahine.

Wahine Memorial Park

Located around the coast between Seatoun and Moa Point and located near the Turkish Memorial is another Memorial Garden. The garden sits on the coast looking out to the Cook Straits with the harbour entrance to the left and the South Island to across the horizon and on a good day can been seen to the right of the garden.

The area is simple and bleak and through out the year can show the different conditions that the Cook Straits can produce.

Located in the area is a propeller that was also salvaged from the Wahine.

Frank Kitts Park

The second of the 2 masts that were salvaged is located at Frank Kits park over looking Wellington Harbour.

Newlands

Sitting behind Newlands Shopping Centre is a anchor that came from the Wahine.

Getting to Eastbourne requires a pleasant drive along the water front through Petone and then along the coast to The Bus Barn on the outskirt of Eastbourne. It is far as you can go.

If you do noy have a car then the 83 bus from Wellington will take you all the way to The Bus Barn which is its final stop.

Access for either the Seatoun’s Churchill Park or the Wahine Memorial Garden by car can be via Shelly Bay or from Lyall Bay via Moa Point. The coast road starts/finishes at either end of Wellington’s Airport.

The # 11 bus will take you all the way there and stops not far from Churchill Park. Seatoun is the final stop before it heads back into Wellington.

Seatoun Churchill Park Map.

Wahine Coastal Memorial Park

Eastbourne Wahine Memorial

History of the Wahine Disaster

Updated 19/02/2013
Updated 11/03/2013 *
*Thank you to Interislander for correcting the details of the operator at the time.
Updated 10/04/2013

james/wildbaynz/windy hill flying club

Out There in Wellington: Hidden Art at Moore Wilson.

Moore Wilson is located on the corner of Tory and College Street in Wellington NZ. So in many respects of the beaten track for those visiting Wellington.

The pieces of art are located outside the main entrance to its food court. Also you can fill up a 2 litre empty water bottle of pure Artesion Water for a Gold Coin donation.
The water comes from a well that was sunk in 1923 to a depth of 497 and is called the Thompson Lewis Crystal Spring.
The main raised goes to support local good causes including Wellington Free Ambulance and the WestPac Life Flight.

Moore Wilson Companies main web site.

Thompson & Lewis Co History of the Company.

Windy Hill Flying Club/ WildBayNZ.

Out There in Wellington: Hidden Art: Geometric Growth,

This is one of the oldest modern piece if sculptures in Wellington. It was first installed in 1974 and in 1989 was removed to make way for the development of Wellington’s Civic Square.
Originally located at the corner of Victoria and Mercer Street. It was damaged during the move so was put into storage until 2006.
After repairs it was reinstalled at its current location in 2006.
Its current location near the Amora Hotel and next to the Michael Fowler Centre on Wakefield Street.

It was made by Guy Ngan.

James/windy hill flying club.

Out There in Wellington:Matiu/Somes Island.

Matiu/Somes Island is one of 3 islands that is located in Wellington Harbour and is the largest of the them. It is nearer to Petone and The Hutt Valley than Wellington.
The island covers approx 30 ha (62 acres).
The island name according to legend had its name (Matiu) given to it by Kupe, a legendary sailer who was the 1st person to arrive in New Zealand and managed to arrive back home with reports of the new land that has been discovered. The name is belived to be one of his daughters and he named it when he 1st arrived into the harbour around 1000 years ago.

After the arrival of the European it was known as Soames Island when it was controlled by the New Zealand Company. The name was the companys deputy governor. In 1997 the NZ Geographic Board then renamed it and it then became Matiu/Somes in recognition of the Maori and European history.
In 1989 the island became part of Lower Hutt and in 1995 DOC (department of conservation) took over the full control and it became a scientific and historic reserve.

A Lighthouse was built in 1866 and was the New Zealand’s harbour lighthouse. The current one was built in 1900 and stands on the same location as the orginal. It still works and is automated.

It also has a lot of resent history when it was used to house enemy interness during wartime. Also it was used as a quarantine centre for immigrants and animals arriving into New Zealand.
In 1918 it was also used to house people during the Flu outbreak on the November although this had limited success.

In 1942 the island had some anti aircraft gun emplacements. These were located on the highest point but were never use, The remains are still there.

As for non humans, the island is a popular plave for The Blue Penquins during breeding. Also a number of birds used the island including Shag’s and the Silver Gull.
A number of rare plants can also be located on the island. Over 500 species are found on the island.

Although the island is located in the harbour it be easily reached from either Wellington or Days Bay, by using the East by West Ferries. There are 3 times that it will stop at the Island before heading back to Wellington or carrying onto Days Bay. This will allow plenty of time to visit and enjoy the Island.

DOC Main site giving all the usefull info.

East by West Ferry Timetable.

Metlink Ferry and bus timetable.

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club.
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Out There in Wellington: Hidden Art: F69 Propeller

Located between Te Papa and Waitangi Park is a section of sunken ground that runs from Wakefield Street and Chaffers Marina.
At the Marina end is a wooden bridge that crosses this area. Located on the right of this bridge if crossing from the Te Papa end you will see a propeller.
This was placed here in 2006 after it was donated by the Rotary Club of Wellington.

The Propeller came from the NZ Navy Ship Wellington which served with the navy for 18 years and before that it was named HMS Bacchante which served with the UK Navy for 12 years before that.

The boat now sites at the bottom of the Cook Straits near Island Bay (South Coast of the North Island) after being sunk. It is now used for diving on and around and also for it to become a reef.

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club

Out There in Wellington:Knapp Gun

The Knapp Gun is located next to the old Dominion Observatory, a few minutes walk from the top of the cable car (Botanical Gardens).
The guns have a great view over Wellington’s Harbour. The gun was never part of the coastal defence system that are dotted around the South Coast of the North Island.

The gun was made in 1907 in Germany by Fried. Krupp AG. It was used during WW1by The Prussian Foot Guards Artillery Regiment.

The gun was captured in 1918 at La Vacquerie where the New Zealand Army was part of the attack in that area.
At the end of the war the gun and many other items were sent to New Zealand as war trophy’s.In 1920 it was given to Wellington as a memorial to those soldiers from Wellington.

For the best part of 80 years it was on display at Newtown park before being moved to its current location.
It is is thought that out of the 190 or so that were built it is the only one that has survived.

James/Windy Hill Flying Club