Last updated May 2026
Brooklyn is a hillside suburb of Wellington, sitting about 2km uphill from the city centre on the ridge that forms the western edge of the bowl. Developed from the 1880s, it was named after the New York borough (which itself took its name from the Dutch village of Breukelen) and its streets were given the names of American presidents — a naming pattern that persists today. The suburb is known throughout Wellington for its wind turbine on Polhill — New Zealand’s first viable commercial wind turbine, installed in 1993, now an iconic part of the city skyline.
About Brooklyn
| Location | 2km west of Wellington CBD, on the ridge above the city |
| Character | Hillside residential, village centre, strong community identity |
| Named after | Brooklyn, New York (subdivided 1880s, formerly Fitchett farm) |
| Māori name | Turanga-rere — “the waving plumes of the war-party” |
History
Before European settlement, the Brooklyn hills were known to Māori as Turanga-rere — “the waving plumes of the war-party.” The area was later known as Fitchett, after John Fitchett whose dairy farm supplied the town with milk. In the 1880s the land was subdivided, renamed Brooklyn after the New York district, and its streets were laid out with names of American presidents — Lincoln, Washington, Adams and others — that remain today.
The Brooklyn Wind Turbine
In March 1993, the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand installed a wind turbine on Polhill, above the north-western edge of Brooklyn, as part of a research project into wind-power generation. It became New Zealand’s first viable commercial wind turbine and set international production records for its size. Visible from many parts of Wellington, it was adopted as Brooklyn’s symbol.
The original turbine was decommissioned in 2015 due to age and replaced in 2016 with a larger, more powerful model. The turbine is now operated by Meridian Energy.
What Residents and Visitors Say
“Brooklyn has everything — great cafes, a real village feel, walkable hills, and that wind turbine visible from half the city. It’s one of Wellington’s most liveable suburbs.” — Wellington resident
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Brooklyn, Wellington covers the suburb’s history, naming and character.
Meridian Energy — Brooklyn Wind Turbine has information about the turbine and its power generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Brooklyn?
About 2km uphill from Wellington’s city centre, on the western ridge above the city bowl.
Why is it called Brooklyn?
Named in the 1880s after Brooklyn, New York (which in turn was named after the Dutch village of Breukelen). The area was formerly known as Fitchett after a local dairy farmer.
What does Turanga-rere mean?
The Māori name for the Brooklyn hills — translated as “the waving plumes of the war-party.”
What is the Brooklyn wind turbine?
New Zealand’s first viable commercial wind turbine, installed on Polhill above Brooklyn in March 1993. The original was replaced with a larger model in 2016 and is operated by Meridian Energy.
Can you visit the wind turbine?
Yes — the turbine is accessible via walking tracks on Polhill. The walk to the turbine gives panoramic views over Wellington.
Why are Brooklyn’s streets named after presidents?
When the suburb was subdivided in the 1880s, the developer named the streets after American presidents — a naming convention that has been maintained.
How far is Brooklyn from the CBD?
About 2km — a steep walk uphill, or a short bus or car ride.
Is Brooklyn a good place to live?
Brooklyn is consistently popular for its village character, community feel, access to the Town Belt and Polhill walking tracks, and its position above the city.
The Wellington Suburbs hub covers all Wellington suburbs. Island Bay is the south coast suburb below Brooklyn on the other side of the ridge. Ōwhiro Bay is the southwest coast suburb accessible from Happy Valley Road via Brooklyn.
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