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Kōrero: Historic earthquakes

Wellington Harbour before the Haowhenua earthquake

Image
Wellington Harbour before the Haowhenua earthquake

This aerial view of Wellington has been modified to show the shoreline as it was before the Haowhenua earthquake, probably in the 15th century. At this time, Miramar Peninsula was an island called Motukairangi, although the water covering the airport (Te Awa-a-Tia channel) would have been very shallow. The present-day coastline is indicated by a dashed line.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

GNS Science

Reference: CN15244/24

by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Eileen McSaveney, Historic earthquakes – Earthquakes in Māori tradition, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/4383/wellington-harbour-before-the-haowhenua-earthquake (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Eileen McSaveney, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009, updated 1 November 2017.

Comments

Lisamarie Anders
06 March 2011
This is on the GSN website, so must be true. Fascinating to see how Wellington harbour has changed in only 500 years.