A plume of water suddenly bursts skyward. This is the Carter Fountain. It stands as a memorial and a spectacle in Wellington Harbour. Look out 150 metres from Oriental Bay. You will see the Carter Fountain.
The Carter Fountain wasn’t always called that. It was originally to be named the Oriental Bay Fountain. But tragedy changed its name.
The fountain is a gift to the city. Local resident Hugh Carter donated it. It was a tribute to his parents George and Ella Carter. They loved Wellington. The Oriental Parade flower garden was paid for by Carter’s parents.
Hugh Carter found inspiration in Geneva. He saw the Jet d’Eau fountain in the early 1960s. This inspired him to gift Wellington its own fountain.
Construction of the Carter Fountain began in 1972. The cost was NZ$75,000. Some residents were not happy. They thought the money could have been better spent. Others thought it would ruin the view.
The Carter Fountain officially opened on March 16, 1973. Days later, tragedy struck. Hugh Carter disappeared from his boat. His body was found in the harbour. He was only 55. As a mark of respect, the fountain was named the Carter Fountain.
The Carter Fountain operates at specific times. Listen carefully to these times. Monday to Thursday it runs 7.30am to 9am. It also runs midday to 2pm, 4.30pm to 6pm, and 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Friday hours are similar. It runs 7.30am to 9am, midday to 2pm, 4.30pm to 6pm, and 7.30pm to 11pm. Saturday and Sunday it operates 8.30am to 4.30pm, and 7pm to 11pm.
The Carter Fountain shoots water 16 metres into the air. A wind sensor controls it. If winds reach 10 knots or higher, the fountain will not activate. This prevents salt spray from bothering residents. The band rotunda nearby houses electrical components.
The Wellington City Council maintains the Carter Fountain. Monthly maintenance is done by an electrician. They use a row boat to reach the fountain. Divers check the submerged pump twice a year. Annual maintenance costs NZ$45,000. Electricity costs NZ$20,000 of that total.
In 2009, replacing the pump cost NZ$29,000. The fountain was out of operation for half a year. Eight floodlights illuminate the Carter Fountain.
In 2013, halogen lights were replaced with LED lights. This cost NZ$21,000. The new lights last up to 50,000 hours. Halogen lights only lasted 2,000 hours. The LED lights can be controlled remotely.
The Carter Fountain contributes to the city’s art scene. Originally lit by halogen lamps with coloured gels, the Carter Fountain delighted with its lighting displays. In 2014 LED lights were introduced. This enabled a wider range of programable color options.
The Performance Arcade has projected ballerinas onto the fountain’s mist. Swimmers and local taniwha Ngake and Whātaitai have also been projected. For the 2022 festival, people could project their own faces. This was through the artwork Into the Light. Amber Strain created it.
The Carter Fountain has become a symbol of Wellington. It is a tribute to a generous family. It is also a constantly evolving piece of public art.