Crofton Downs is an inner suburb of Wellington, situated between Ngaio to the northeast, Wilton to the south-west and Wadestown to the south. The suburb takes its name from Crofton House, built in 1857 by Premier William Fox — almost certainly named after Fox’s wife’s birthplace of Crofton in Wiltshire, England. The original house still stands at 21 Kenya Street. Crofton Downs is also known for an unusual concentration of streets named after Winston Churchill — Winston Street, Churchill Drive, Spencer Street and Downing Street all reflect the suburb’s mid-twentieth century development during and after the Second World War.
About Crofton Downs
| Location | Inner Wellington, between Ngaio, Wilton and Wadestown |
| Character | Green hillside suburb, mostly 1970s housing, train access |
| Named after | Crofton House, built 1857 by Premier William Fox |
| Train station | Crofton Downs station on the Johnsonville line (opened 1963) |
History
The area was known as Upper Kaiwarra before 1870, then simply as Crofton (including what is now neighbouring Ngaio) until it was renamed Ngaio in 1908. The western side of Ngaio then split off and became Crofton Downs in the 1950s.
In 1961 a booklet promoting the suburb was produced shortly before the Railways Department agreed to add a new train stop at Crofton Downs on the Johnsonville Branch line. The Crofton Downs station opened in March 1963, giving the suburb a direct rail connection to the CBD and triggering rapid housing development through the mid-1960s to the 1980s.
Churchill Streets
Several streets in Crofton Downs carry the name of Winston Churchill: Winston Street, Churchill Drive, Spencer Street (Churchill’s family name) and Downing Street. The street naming reflects the period of the suburb’s development during and after the Second World War, when Churchill was a towering figure.
Green Character
Surrounding bush reserves — including Chartwell Bush — enhance Crofton Downs’ leafy character. The reserve contains regenerating native forest, wetlands and understory vegetation, with species including kahikatea and pukatea maintained by community restoration efforts.
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Crofton Downs covers the suburb’s history, naming and character.
Wellington City Libraries — How Crofton Downs Got Its Name has the full story of William Fox’s house and the suburb’s naming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Crofton Downs?
An inner Wellington suburb between Ngaio (northeast), Wilton (south-west) and Wadestown (south).
Why is it called Crofton Downs?
Named after Crofton House, built in 1857 by Premier William Fox, likely after Fox’s wife’s birthplace of Crofton in Wiltshire, England. The house still stands at 21 Kenya Street.
Who was William Fox?
Sir William Fox was one of New Zealand’s early premiers (he served four separate terms). He built Crofton House in 1857 in what is now Crofton Downs.
Why are so many streets named after Winston Churchill?
The suburb developed in the 1960s, during and after the Second World War period when Churchill was a prominent figure. Winston Street, Churchill Drive, Spencer Street and Downing Street all reflect this.
Is there a train station at Crofton Downs?
Yes — Crofton Downs station on the Johnsonville Branch line opened in March 1963. It provides a direct rail connection to the Wellington CBD.
When was most of the housing built?
The majority of housing was constructed between 1970 and 1979, after the train station opened in 1963 and made the suburb more accessible.
What is Chartwell Bush?
A native bush reserve near Crofton Downs with regenerating kahikatea and pukatea forest, wetlands and understory vegetation maintained by community restoration efforts.
What was the area called before Crofton Downs?
Upper Kaiwarra (before 1870), then Crofton/Ngaio (1870–1908), then Ngaio (1908–1950s), then Crofton Downs when the western part of Ngaio separated.
The Wellington Suburbs hub covers all Wellington suburbs. Ngaio is the adjacent suburb to the northeast, sharing the Johnsonville train line. Wilton is to the south-west, home to Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush native botanic garden.