Perhaps you’ve heard Lower Hutt called simply “the Hutt”. This city has a character all its own. Today we will explore the wonders of Lower Hutt City.
Lower Hutt City is one of four cities making up the Wellington metropolitan area. It is administered by the Hutt City Council. Lower Hutt is unique because the council’s name differs from the city’s name.
But why “Lower” Hutt? To differentiate it from Upper Hutt. Both are in the Hutt Valley. The Hutt Valley got its name from the Hutt River. It was named after Sir William Hutt. He was a director of the New Zealand Company. Since 2010, the river has had a dual name: Hutt River Te Awa Kairangi. Te Awa Kairangi means “river of food from the sky” in Māori.
Before European settlement, thick forest covered most of the Hutt Valley. Māori inhabited the shoreline. They welcomed the New Zealand Company ship Tory in 1839. Settlement began. The first immigrant ship, the Aurora, arrived in 1840. The settlers established New Zealand’s first newspaper and bank.
Within weeks, the Hutt River flooded. Many settlers moved to Thorndon. Some remained. Conflict arose between settlers and Māori in 1846. This led to the Hutt Valley Campaign. An earthquake in 1855 raised part of the lower valley. This allowed land reclamation from the swamp.
In 1859, New Zealand’s first permanent lighthouse was lit at Pencarrow Head. Mary Jane Bennett became the first female lighthouse keeper.
The railway reached Lower Hutt in 1874. Before World War II, urban settlement focused on Petone, central Lower Hutt, and Eastbourne. The population was 30000. New suburbs developed after the war. By the end of the 1950s, Lower Hutt had 80000 residents.
Lower Hutt City has a mayor and 12 councillors. Campbell Barry became mayor in 2019. He was New Zealand’s youngest mayor.
Lower Hutt is in the lower southern valley of the Hutt River. The valley widens into a delta near the river’s mouth. The city also includes settlements along Wellington Harbour’s eastern coast. These include Wainuiomata and Eastbourne. Lower Hutt’s boundaries include Matiu / Somes Island in Wellington Harbour.
Lower Hutt has a wet oceanic climate. Summers are warm. Winters are mild.
The Hutt River dominates the lower Hutt Valley. The Hutt River Board built stopbanks to contain the river. Flooding remains a risk. Much of the land near the river is protected as a reserve. Walking and cycling trails run along both sides of the river.
Lower Hutt City has many suburbs. These include Petone, Wainuiomata, and Eastbourne.
As of June 2024, Lower Hutt City has an estimated population of 115500. The urban area covers 78.54 square kilometers.
Historically, Petone, Seaview, and Gracefield have been industrial hubs. Industries included meat processing and vehicle assembly. Service and consumer-oriented sectors have increased recently. Lower Hutt remains a location for light industrial activity.
Avalon was home to New Zealand’s television industry from 1975 to the late 1980s. The Avalon film and television studios were the first purpose-built studios.
Lower Hutt has several educational and research facilities. These include the Petone Settlers Museum and the Dowse Art Museum.
The city has civic administration buildings from the 1950s. These are regarded as representative architecture of the era. Vogel House is a prime example of early colonial architecture.
Outdoor sports are popular in Lower Hutt. The central city is home to Queensgate Shopping Centre. The Riverbank Market occurs on Saturdays.
Dry Creek quarry was a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
Lower Hutt has four state secondary schools. The city is home to the Wellington Institute of Technology and The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.
The city is served by The Post and The Hutt News. Local radio station The Cheese broadcasts in the city.
Hills line both sides of the valley. Native birds are common.
Lower Hutt’s sister cities include Minoh, Japan, and Tempe, USA. Since 2000, Lower Hutt has friendly relations with Xi’an, China.
From early Māori settlements to modern industry Lower Hutt has a rich tapestry. It is truly a unique New Zealand city.