Mt. Victoria

There was a bit of rain during my stay in Wellington. No catastrophe though, as rainy weather is perfect Museum weather. One of the few good days was a Thursday morning. Following the advice of a friend, I went up to Mount Victoria to see the views.

First, situating the spot:

Maori Legend about what Pakeha call Wellington Harbour and Mt. Victoria:

Legend has it that two taniwha [like a sea monster, but lived inland. more here. - Ted] lived in the harbour (which at that time was an enclosed lake). One was a restless, energetic taniwha named Ngake, who longed to escape its confinements and swim to open sea.

It sped about in the north eastern part of the harbour, using its tail to build up the shallow area and then hurled itself at the rocks encircling the lake, and smashed through to escape to the freedom of Raukawamoana (Cook Strait).

The other taniwha, Whataitai, decided to make his escape through another exit. Pushing off with his tail, and in doing so created the Ngauranga gorge. Whataitai then headed off down the other side of the island of Motu Kairangi (Miramar Peninsula), only to get stuck by the receding tide Ngake had let in. Whataitai’s body thus forms the isthmus between the former island of Motu Kairangi and the western side of the harbour, where the airport is now situated.

It is believed that Tangi-te keo (Mt Victoria) was named after the soul of Whataitai, which, after leaving the taniwha’s body, flew up to the top of this hill in the shape of a bird and proceeded to tangi (weep and mourn).

Source

Looking westerly, towards Wellington centre city

I remember standing at the Mount Victoria lookout contemplating the northern view. I was thinking that the haze would lop out most of the longer-wavelength light, rendering the images grey and murky. So I took only one photo. Wish I took more.

Easterly, over the anvil-shaped peninsula that forms the entrance to Wellington Harbour towards Mount Cameron, Mount Grace and Mount Matthews.

Looking south-east towards the airport, a plane on approach.

Looking south-west, over towards Cook Strait.

Looking West by South West. Proceeding outwards, the community of Mount Cook, Central Park (!), the community of Brooklyn, and then the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.

Due West by Northwest

Kiwis don't use wood or asphalt shingles for residential roofing. They use extruded steel or aluminum, which is available in a broad range of colours. This results in a range of architectural options in housing design that just don't exist in the States. Again, another example of Kiwi pragmatism that has resulted in a nice, innovative response to a need. Probably back in the dark days of import licensing, New Zealanders needed an inexpensive, locally produced material for roofing. There was probably plenty of capacity to manufacture corrugated steel, so somebody said, "let's use it on the roof." A number of years later, homeowners have a nice selection colours and materials.

After the visit to Mount Victoria, I drove across to

to see

lone wind turbine