Wairarapa History
Wairarapa | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History
European settlement dates back to the 1840s, but archaeological research has shown that parts of the Wairarapa have been occupied for at least 800 years.
Wairarapa History Overview
Wind your way over the Rimutaka hills and along the route trodden by early European settlers 150 years ago to Wairarapa, known by Māori as the "Land of Glistening Waters".
European settlement dates back to the 1840s, but Māori history is much older. Archaeological research has shown that parts of the Wairarapa coast have been occupied for at least 800 years.
Established in 1854, Greytown is New Zealand's first planned town. The historical town shows evidence of both early European settlement as well as Māori culture.
Castlepoint Lighthouse
Wairarapa
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)
Castlepoint was named in 1770 by Captain Cook, who thought the rock formations in the area resembled the battlements of a castle.
Built in 1912, it was one of the last lighthouses to be automated in New Zealand.
From the beach you can walk along a reef to this cast iron lighthouse.
Historical Greytown
Greytown was New Zealand's first planned inland town. It was established in 1854 by a group of settlers from Wellington who were looking for small, affordable portions of land to farm. They established Greytown with the assistance of Sir George Grey, the Governor of New Zealand at the time.
Today Greytown has New Zealand's most complete main street of wooden Victorian buildings. The town's historic walk is shown on the map situated outside the bibrary, or you can pick up the Historic Greytown pamphlet from the information centre.
Māori culture is also evident in Greytown. Papawai Marae—the site of the first Māori Parliament—has a wharenui (meeting house) dating back to 1888. In the 1890s, 18 large carved figures were erected representing famous tipuna (ancestors). These have been restored with help from the Historic Places Trust.
Cobblestones, the Wairarapa Early Settlers Museum, has an interesting collection of historic buildings and early technology. The museum is open every day.
Many artists, artisans and antique dealers live and work in Greytown. A short stroll down the main street will reveal a fascinating range of galleries and shops.
Martinborough Hotel
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)
When it was built in 1882, developer Edmund Buckeridge described the Martinborough Hotel as "one of the finest hostelries ever erected in any inland town in New Zealand".
Today the charm of historic Martinborough Hotel remains intact and the hospitality is distinctly five star.
From here you can walk to the vineyards that have helped to put Martinborough on the gourmet map of New Zealand.
Gardens - Grand Historic Homesteads
The Wairarapa is the place to appreciate gardens and the passion of New Zealand gardeners—either on your own or with a local garden tour guide.
Wander the spacious landscaped grounds of grand historical homesteads or enjoy the unstructured prettiness of country cottage gardens.
The best times to visit are September to April, but some gardens are open all year.
Useful Wairarapa Links
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Wairarapa Region Information
Regional Information
Key information and facts about the Wairarapa region.
Activity Highlights
Major activities and attractions in the Wairarapa region.
Scenic Highlights
Major natural attractions in the Wairarapa region.
History
History of the Wairarapa region.
Wairarapa Tourism Operators
Choose from our accommodation, attractions, tours, transport or visitor information categories below to find a tourism operator in Wairarapa.
