Early History of Wainuiomata:
A few years after (1844) our forefathers signed the treaty of Waitangi with the help of Edward Gibbon Wakefield. Settlers were able to purchase land from local Moari and this was the begining of settlement in Wainuiomata.
In the 1920's there were plans to build a tunnel through Wainuiomata hill to make it easy to travel.Work started in 1932 on the Lower Hutt side, but due to a lack of money and the Depression worked was delayed. They did make slow progess until finally they finished building the tunnel in 1980.
The only way to drive into Wainuiomata is over the Wainuiomata hill. There is place to stop on top of the hill to view both Wainuiomata and greater Wellington.
But only used as water supply for the Wellington area and not as a road ,it comes out near Waiu St in Wainuiomata.
The meaning of Wainuiomata is: WAI meaning water NUI meaning big, O meaning of, and MATA could be women's name. There is a story about why it is called Wainuiomata. Men died in battle and the women came over to Wainuiomata to weep. Its is known as the valley of the weeping women.
Wainuiomata is about 15 minutes drive from Lower Hutt city and 30 minutes drive from Wellington City, Wainuiomata is surrounded by beautiful hills and is like being in a town away from the busy city.
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| on top of Wainuiomata hill in the 1930's |
View on top of Wainuiomata hill
