Sculptural Wellington

Posted by Guest Writer on 17 March 2011 | 88 Comments

Tags: Wellington, Wellington art, Wellington sculptures, Wellington walks

The huge number of sculptures and statues dotted around Wellington are a tribute to the city's status as New Zealand's cultural capital. Here is a taster...

Buzzy Bee on Bunny Street

Step out of Downtown Backpackers Wellington and you'll find a New Zealand icon perched on top of the Bunny Street sign. The Buzzy Bee toy has become a piece of kiwiana since it was first produced in 1948. It is now a New Zealand icon.

 

 

Solace in the Wind, the Waterfront

This is a 2 metre high bronze cast of a man leaning forward into a good old Wellington gale perched on the edge of Wellington's spectacular waterfront. Sculptured by Max Patte it is said that he stood in this exact spot when he'd been going through a bad patch. The view and feel of the wind soothed his soul and inspired him to create Solace in the Wind.

 

 

Kupe, The Taranaki Street Wharf

Designed by Christchurch sculptor William Trethewey in 1939 the statue of Kupe Raiatea has had several homes including the Wellington Railway Station and Te Papa. Eventually cast in bronze in 2000, this impressive sculpture now rests on Wellington's waterfront and aptly depicts Kupe, and his entourage (including his wife) first sighting Wellington Harbour.

 

 

The Bucket Fountain, Cuba Mall

Ok, so maybe it's not technically a sculpture - or is it? Whatever you decide it cannot be denied that it is quintessential Wellington and it would be a crime to omit this from the list.

 

 

 

John Plimmer, Plimmer Steps off Lambton Quay

Aka 'The Father of Wellington' is found at the bottom of the Plimmer Steps just off Lambton Quay. A bit of an entrepreneur in the 1800s, Plimmer bought an old sailing ship and converted the hull into a warehouse on an early pier in Wellington Harbour.

 

 

There are numerous other sculptures to check out. A walk over the City to Sea bridge in the Civic Square Complex includes the beautiful Nikau palms and the totem-like structures that look so amazing silhouetted against the Wellington sky. Among the many other installations around the city is 'Invisible City' on the corner of Lambton Quay and Grey Street, plus the Botanic Gardens has the country's only publicly owned Henry Moore and the very cool 'Body to Soul' by Mary-Louise Browne.

Wellington - so cool you can soak up some culture just by taking a stroll. Nice.