Crofton became Ngaio in 1908. It is colloquially pronounced /\u02c8na\u026ao\u028a/ NY-oh. Welcome to Ngaio an inner suburb of Wellington.
Let’s explore Ngaio’s story together. Ngaio sits on Mount Kaukau’s slopes. It is about 3500 metres north of the city’s CBD. Ngaio’s streets often echo the names of its early settler families.
Initially Ngaio was a logging community. It was first called Upper Kaiwarra. Then it was known as Crofton until 1908. Ngaio derives its name from the native ngaio tree.
Ngaio was part of the Onslow Borough Council. This council merged with Wellington City in 1919.
What can you find in Ngaio today? There is a library and a multi-purpose hall. You can find a pharmacy and a petrol station. Two cafes offer refreshments. Plunket rooms, a dentist, and a medical centre serve the community. Tennis courts and small shops add to Ngaio’s charm.
Ngaio’s dwellings showcase varied ages and styles. Original colonial buildings from the 1860s stand alongside railway cottages. Bungalows from the 1920s and 30s mix with 1960s weatherboard houses.
Let’s talk about the Tarikaka Settlement. It features former railway cottages built in 1928. Find them on Tarikaka Street and Bombay Street. Look for them on Carroll Street and Khandallah Road. Ngata Street, Raihania Lane, and Pomare Street also host these cottages.
The Cummings Park Library is on Ottawa Road’s south entrance. It opened in 1989. It was refurbished in 2008. The entrance boasts 850 tiles made by local potters. Paul Winspear and Paul Wotherspoon created them. Children from Ngaio and Chartwell Schools decorated the tiles. The library’s Maori name is Korimako. It is named after the Korimako stream that flows through Ngaio.
The library offers internet access and free Wi-Fi. Word processing, printing, and faxing are available. It holds a special collection of local oral history. These detail memories of prominent Ngaio locals. Regular preschool programs occur weekly. Baby Rock & Rhyme caters to babies aged 0 to 2 years. Storytime is for children aged 3 to 4. Kōhunga Kōrero presents monthly storytime in te reo Māori. It is designed for children aged 2 to 6 years old.
Ngaio Town Hall provides a venue for community services. It hosts sports and performances. Cultural and private events take place here. The hall includes a stage and a kitchen. A drop-in centre and the Ngaio toy library are inside. It accommodates 300 people. An accessible entry ramp is at the front. The hall opened in 1924. It was renovated in 1989.
Several groups use the hall regularly. The Bodh Gaya Buddhist Centre meets here. The Ngaio Badminton Club plays here. The Ngaio Drop In Centre uses this hall. The Ngaio Toy Library operates from here. The Onslow Table Tennis Club practices here. Occasionally a book sale occurs here. It is organized by the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
Explore Trelissick Park. It runs from the bottom of Ngaio Gorge road. It crosses the borders of Wadestown and Crofton Downs. The park is an ecological corridor. It links the Harbour and the northern suburbs. Historic gunpowder magazines built in the 1870s reside in the park.
While containing original forest remnants, Trelissick Park undergoes restoration. The Trelissick Park Group leads this work. It was established in 1991. Since then over 80000 trees have been planted. Weed management, trapping, and bridge building are ongoing.
Orleans Makererua reserve extends from Makererua Street to Orleans Street. It holds remnants of Ngaio’s original native bush. Cummings Park is off Ottawa Road. It features a children’s playground. A dog exercise area is available here.
Ngaio is served by the Johnsonville Branch commuter railway. Ngaio Railway Station and Awarua Street Railway Station serve the suburb. Buses operate two routes through Ngaio. These are numbered 25 and 26. Route 22 is also operated by NZ Bus.
Ngaio Gorge is the main road between Ngaio and Wellington city. It is a key transport route during earthquakes. The road is a primary access route. It is a critical escape route from the city. Heavy rains in July 2017 caused a large landslide. Boulders and rubble covered the road. 3500 cubic metres of rubble were cleared. A temporary shipping container wall protects the road.
Ngaio’s story continues. It is a vibrant community with a rich history. Take a moment to appreciate its unique character.