Hataitai Local History

Where is Hataitai?

Hataitai is one of Wellington's eastern suburbs, lying between Mt Victoria and the Miramar peninsula. Main access from the city is through Mt Victoria via the traffic tunnel, or by bus through the bus tunnel. In the early days the area was part of Kilbirnie in the Evan's Bay district - so the school opened in 1884 was called Kilbirnie School. In 1901 the Hataitai Land Company was formed to sell sections on the hillsides north from Waitoa Road, and the area became known as Hataitai. There is a shopping centre at the intersection of Waitoa Road and Moxham Avenue. Popularity of the suburb took off after the tram (now bus) tunnel was opened in 1907. Before that access had been over the hill from Newtown via Crawford Road/Wellington Road.