Historic Origins
A priceless legacy
Wellington’s founders, the directors of the New Zealand Company, believed that public green space was good for citizens’ health and well-being. They wanted to avoid the crowded, unhealthy living conditions of England’s industrial cities.
In 1840, they stipulated that the new settlement be separated from the country by a “broad belt of (public) land”.
The city has long since expanded beyond the original town boundaries but, despite 30% having been lost to other uses, the remaining Town Belt is a priceless legacy from the founding fathers based on:
