Massey Memorial & lookout

New Zealand / Wellington /
 memorial, scenic lookout
The Massey Memorial at Point Halswell, Wellington, commemorates William Ferguson Massey who was Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912-1925. Originally known by its Maori name, Kaitawharo ('to eat jellyfish'), Point Halswell, was renamed after the Commissioner of Native Reserves, Edmond Halswell, who arrived in New Zealand in 1841. In 1886, because of fears about Russia's presence in the Pacific following the Crimean War, an 8" gun emplacement was constructed on the site. The gun pit was later incorporated into the design of William Ferguson Massey's tomb underneath the Memorial.

Shortly after Massey's death in 1925, the Massey Burial-ground Act was passed allocating land at Point Halswell to be set aside as a burial ground for him and his widow. Public subscriptions raised funds totalling £5,000 and the government contributed £10,000. Auckland architects Gummer and Ford and consulting architect Samuel Hurst Seager were engaged to design a fitting tomb and memorial. Gummer and Ford were responsible for designing numerous war memorials around New Zealand, including the National War Memorial in Wellington. Seager had also designed a number of memorials in New Zealand, and is best known for the New Zealand War Memorial at Chunuk Bair, Gallipoli.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   41°17'6"S   174°49'33"E

Comments

  • Great view of the sea from here. Lovely place to come on a quiet morning for some teleworking. :)
  •  14 km
  •  16 km
  •  21 km
  •  26 km
  •  136 km
  •  140 km
  •  307 km
  •  620 km
  •  2282 km
  •  2314 km
This article was last modified 15 years ago