Khandallah is one of Wellington’s most affluent suburbs — a green, hillside community 4km northeast of the city centre, overlooking Wellington Harbour from the slopes of Mount Kaukau. Named after a place in India (most likely Khandela in Rajasthan or Khandala), the suburb’s streets were given Indian names in the 1920s to match, creating an unusual naming convention that persists today. It is consistently rated as one of Wellington’s most desirable residential addresses.
About Khandallah
| Location | 4km northeast of Wellington CBD, on slopes of Mount Kaukau |
| Character | Affluent, leafy, family-friendly, harbour views |
| Railway | Khandallah station — Johnsonville Line |
| Distinctive feature | Streets named after Indian places |
History and Naming
British settlers began farming in Khandallah in the 1840s. The suburb’s distinctive name is attributed to either Captain James Andrew — who gifted land for Khandallah Homestead (built 1884) and for Khandallah railway station — or Captain Edward Battersbee, an earlier resident who had also spent time in India. The Johnsonville Branch railway opened in 1886, enabling regular commuting to Wellington and driving rapid population growth: from 766 residents in 1916 to 2,498 in 1938. In the mid-1920s, many street names were changed to Indian names — Burma Road, Kim Street, Delhi Crescent and others — to reflect the suburb’s name.
Parks and Views
The northeastern part of Khandallah is dominated by an extensive area of parkland on the slopes of Mount Kaukau, with three parks covering almost 2km². The summit of Mount Kaukau (445m), topped by Wellington’s main terrestrial television transmitter tower, offers panoramic views of Wellington Harbour, Cook Strait and the Hutt Valley. The parkland is a popular destination for walking and provides a green backdrop to the suburb’s residential streets.
What Visitors and Residents Say
“Khandallah is simply one of the best places to live in Wellington — great schools, beautiful parks, the Johnsonville train, and some of the best harbour views in the city.” — Wellington real estate blog
“The Indian street names give Khandallah a completely unique identity — you could be walking along Burma Road or Kim Street, which is an odd and wonderful thing in a Wellington suburb.” — Wellington Live
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Khandallah covers the suburb’s history, naming and character.
Khandallah Village — Our History has local history of the suburb from the Khandallah business community site.
Wellington City Libraries — Khandallah Local History has archival local history resources for the suburb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Khandallah?
4km northeast of Wellington’s CBD, on the slopes of Mount Kaukau. Served by the Johnsonville Line.
Why does Khandallah have Indian street names?
In the mid-1920s, many street names were changed to Indian names — Burma Road, Kim Street, Delhi Crescent — to reflect the suburb’s own name, which derives from a place in India.
How did Khandallah get its name?
Most likely named after Khandela in Rajasthan, India, by either Captain James Andrew or Captain Edward Battersbee — early residents who had spent time in India.
Is Khandallah affluent?
Yes — Khandallah is consistently rated as one of Wellington’s most affluent suburbs.
How do I get to Khandallah from the city?
By train on the Johnsonville Line from Wellington station.
What are the parks in Khandallah?
Three parks on the slopes of Mount Kaukau totalling almost 2km², providing walking tracks and access to the 445m summit with panoramic views.
What are the views like from Khandallah?
From the higher parts of the suburb and from Mount Kaukau, views take in Wellington Harbour, Cook Strait and the Hutt Valley.
What schools serve Khandallah?
Khandallah School (primary), with secondary students typically attending Onslow College in Johnsonville.
The Wellington Suburbs hub covers all Wellington suburbs. Ngaio is the suburb to the south on the same Johnsonville Line. Broadmeadows is a small quiet suburb to the northwest, between Khandallah and Johnsonville.