Streams of Wellington
Before Wellington city was built, the land it sat upon was home to many streams.
As the city grew following European settlement, Wellington's streams were culverted and piped underground, beginning with the Kumutoto Stream in the 1860s.
By the 21st-century, an estimated 700km (approximately 95%) of Wellington's stream network of Wellington's stream network is culverted underground, with only 60km remaining open.[1][2] Such streams are considered part of the city's stormwater system, and are not afforded the same protections that open-air waterways receive.
Streams
Streams are listed in order from beginning in the north of Wellington, and going around anti-clockwise to the Miramar Peninsula.[3]
Other streams (between Dixon St–Grant Road–Railway Station):[4]
- Whakahikuwai
- Te Waipaekaka
Waitohi Stream
Also known as the Ngauranga Stream.
Korimako Stream
Kaiwharawhara Stream
Pakuao Stream
Flows through Queen's Park in Wadestown/Thorndon
Tiakiwai Stream
two mouths exited at Thorndon Quay
Pipitea Stream
exited "near Davis Street"
Waipiro Stream
Runs down Bowen / Bolton Streets, passes beneath Wellington cenotaph.
Tutaenui Stream
Runs down Bowen Street.
Tutaenui translates to "great amounts of excrement" in Māori.[5]
Kumutoto Stream
Waikoukou Stream
Ran down Boulcott Street
Waimāpihi Stream
Historically called Te Aro Stream. Runs through Aro Valley and beneath Te Aro, exits into Harbour at Taranaki Street Wharf.
Waitangi Stream
Begins in Newtown, exits out at Waitangi Park
Karori Stream
Runs from Karori out to the Cook Strait on Wellington's South Coast.
Owhiro Stream
Exits into Owhiro Bay
Pae Kawakawa Stream
Exits out Island Bay
Waipapa
Sourced from Mount Victoria, exits to Evans Bay
Miramar Stream
Miramar Peninsula
References
- ↑ MacManus, Joel (2021-12-15), "Reimagining Wellington: Bringing the capital's streams back to life and light", Stuff, retrieved 2026-08-19
- ↑ Green, Kate (2022-09-22), "Can Wellington's underground urban streams once again see the light?", Stuff, retrieved 2026-08-19
- ↑ "CREEKS THAT SANG", Evening Post, Evening Post, CXX (1), p. 14, 1935-07-01, retrieved 2026-08-20 – via PapersPast
- ↑ "Courses of the Wellington streams, plates 3 and 4", natlib.govt.nz, Johannes C. Andersen, c. 1940
- ↑ Smith, Phil (19 April 2026). "The House: Victorian Parliament amid slum, disease, fires and illegal demolition". RNZ.
Category:Rivers of Wellington City
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