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Kōrero: Sewage, water and waste

Wellington destructor, around 1930

Image
Wellington destructor, around 1930

The Wellington destructor was located at the foot of Mt Victoria – today the site of Waitangi Park. Its twin chimneys made it a landmark. From 1908 to 1946 the city’s rubbish would arrive on horse-drawn carts and trucks, to be burnt in furnaces. Smoke also poured from factory chimneys – the air was much dirtier in New Zealand cities at this time.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: 1/2-091112; F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Christine Dann, Sewage, water and waste – Solid waste, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/24450/wellington-destructor-around-1930 (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Christine Dann, i tāngia i te 12 April 2010.