Island Bay, Wellington
Encyclopedia : I : IS : ISL : Island Bay, Wellington
| Suburb: | Island Bay |
| City: | Wellington |
| Island: | North Island |
| Surrounded by: | |
| to the north | Berhampore |
| to the east | Southgate |
| to the south | Cook Strait |
| to the west | Owhiro Bay, Happy Valley |
Island Bay is settled on the bay which shares its name, one of numerous small bays that lie to the west of the large indentation of Lyall Bay. Some 500m offshore in Island Bay lies small Taputeranga Island, a recreational reserve for which the bay is named. The caves of the island were once a hiding place for local Māori, when attacked by other tribes. This island forms a natural breakwater, giving the suburb a sheltered anchorage.
Noted former residents include artists Rita Angus and John Drawbridge and writer Robin Hyde. Legendary rock frontmen Anrew Fagan of the Mockers and Jon Toogood of Shihad grew up in Island Bay.
Notable features
One of the most recognisable features of Island Bay is its giant Band Rotunda, which stands today in the Island Bay park on the waterfront. The rotunda was built in 1930 and later was covered with plaques remembering the 106 local soldiers who were lost in WWI after being recruited from the area. Further plaques were added after WWII for 46 local soldiers who had died and for the loss of 52 American submarines, 374 officers and 3131 of their men. In the 1930's, local brass bands and the Salvation Army frequently played in the rotunda. However, after the Second World War and the increasing popularity of radio, fewer bands played at the site. The rotunda is now empty and only used by children in the surrounding playground, and the occasional concert (usually during Island Bay's annual festival).To the East of Taputeranga lies the final resting place of the HMNZS Wellington (the F69), a decommisioned battleship sunk off the coast of Island Bay to provide the starting point for an artificial reef and diving destination. However, a violent storm in early 2006 broke the ship in two and both pieces now reside close to where the ship was sunk.
A Buddhist monastery is located on the western hills, with the golden Stupa being visible from all around. Island Bay is also the starting point for two recreational walkways that cross the city. They cross through the surrounding bushland and connect to numerous sites in Wellington.
External links
- [Island Bay Festival homepage]
- [Photos tagged Island Bay at Flickr]
- [Wellington City Libraries Island Bay page]
- [Island Bay Primary School]
- [SinkF69 - Information and pictures about the battleship and diving attraction]
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