Story: Wellington region

Inspired by the public squares of Europe, in the early 1990s the Wellington City Council decided to build its own. It was sited between the town hall and central library (now City Gallery Wellington). A new library and administration block was built on the western side of the square, with a wide bridge leading to the waterfront from the eastern end. A globe-like sculpture of interlaced silver ferns by artist Neil Dawson was strung over the space, providing a focal (and talking) point. Civic Square draws office workers at lunchtime and crowds for political and cultural events.