An important place in Maori history

Long before Europeans settled in Wellington, the waterfront area was the centre of local Maori life. 

Kupe, the great Maori explorer, is said to have stayed in the harbour hundreds of years ago and many place names in the harbour acknowledge his presence – Matiu and Makaro, or Somes and Ward Islands as they are also known, are the names of two of Kupe’s nieces.

When European settlers arrived they found thriving Maori settlements stretching from Waiwhetu on the eastern side of the Hutt Valley, Petone, round to settlements at the mouth of the Kaiwharawhara Stream to Pipitea Pa, Kumutoto Pa, Tiakiwai Pa and finally into Te Aro Pa in the heart of the waterfront.
 
Te Atiawa settled the inner harbour area and had a close relationship with Ngati Toa further north.

Not only were the settlements thriving, there was also a healthy water-based trade and communication system.

The area south of Te Aro Pa was well-cultivated.  Gardens extended to where the old Museum at Buckle Street now stands and on some of the hilly area up to Brooklyn and Vogeltown. 

Streams, the Waitangi Lagoon on the eastern side of Te Aro Flat (near the site of Waitangi Park), surrounding bush and the harbour itself were rich food sources, and a source of other supplies such as flax and wood.