High on the south-western slopes of Te Ahumairangi sits Northland. This Wellington suburb boasts a captivating history. It wasn’t always known as Northland. Part of the area was once called Creswick. That changed in the late 19th century. Landowner CJ Pharazyn developed new roads and building sites. He cleverly marketed the entire area as Northland. The Evening Post even hailed it as Wellington’s “best suburb”.
Northland’s location is quite special. It’s nestled near the Wellington Botanic Garden and the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary. Ian Galloway Park with its rugby fields and dog exercise area is also nearby. The area is bordered by several other Wellington suburbs. These include Highbury Kelburn Thorndon Wilton Wadestown and Karori. A steep gully separates Northland from Kelburn. Northland lies on the fill over the piped Kaiwharawhara Stream.
Northland wasn’t just a pretty place. It has a rich history including notable residents. Prime Ministers Michael Joseph Savage and Peter Fraser lived on Harbour View Road. The renowned potter Doreen Blumhardt also lived there. Her home had 65 steps down to the road and another 40 to her workshop. Author Iris Wilkinson known as Robin Hyde resided at 92 Northland Road. Poet and educator Harvey McQueen lived on Farm Road. The Northland Memorial Community Centre is a key part of the community. There’s also a cluster of shops and takeaways at the top of Garden Road.
The area’s past is full of interesting details. The Orangikaupapa Block a Ngāti Awa village was located opposite the Botanic Garden. It was also known as Cliff Pa. The area also had potato gardens belonging to Te Matehou. The Glenmore Street side was known as Governor’s Farm. Government House used it as a farm. There’s even a story about gold being found there.
Northland’s development involved significant engineering feats. The Karori Tunnel and the Northland Tunnel are testament to this. Building the Northland Tunnel was challenging. The ground was difficult to work with. There was public concern about worker safety. Robert Semple an expert tunneller even inspected the site. Lengthy legal battles delayed the tunnel’s completion. The tunnel finally opened to trams in 1929.
Today Northland is a thriving suburb. It’s home to a diverse population. This includes university students young professionals and families. Two primary schools serve the area. These are Northland School and Cardinal McKeefry Catholic Primary School. Northland is a blend of history modern life and stunning natural beauty. It’s a truly remarkable place.