Last updated October 2026
Highbury is a compact hillside suburb of Wellington City, sitting west of Brooklyn and Aro Valley only a short distance from the central city. Named by early settlers after Highbury in Birmingham, England, it occupies steep residential streets with harbour and city outlooks.
The suburb sits beside regenerating bush and the boundary of Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, giving residents ready access to native birdlife and walking and mountain-bike tracks.
Metlink bus route 25 terminates here, linking Highbury directly with Aro Valley and the city. It is a quiet residential pocket valued for its proximity to both green space and urban amenities without a commercial strip of its own.
Practical Information
- Ward or local board
- Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward (Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward)
- Getting there
- Highbury Road and connecting streets from Aro Valley and Brooklyn; Metlink bus route 25 (Khandallah–Wellington–Aro Valley–Highbury) terminates at Highbury
- Main shopping
- Brooklyn village centre (Ohiro Road and Cleveland/Todman area) and the Aro Valley strip on Aro Street
- Schools
- Nearby Brooklyn School; access to central and inner-city schools including those serving Aro Valley; close to Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn campus
- Nearby landmarks
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, Waimapihi Reserve (including George Denton playground and Highbury Fling track), Brooklyn Wind Turbine, Aro Valley
About Highbury
Highbury is one of Wellington’s smaller suburbs, a residential enclave on the western hills above the city. It lies immediately west of Brooklyn and Aro Valley under Wellington City Council. Steep sections and character homes are typical of the terrain, with many properties oriented to catch sun and views across the city and harbour.
Thomas and Mary Forgham, who arrived in New Zealand in 1864, named the area after Highbury in Birmingham, England. The suburb remains primarily residential, with no large commercial centre of its own. Daily needs are met in neighbouring Brooklyn, which has a district centre with shops, library and community facilities, or along the village strip in Aro Valley.
The setting is defined by its closeness to bush and open space. Waimapihi Reserve (formerly known as Polhill) borders the area, and the fenced boundary of Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne runs nearby.
Tracks such as Highbury Fling and Fenceline offer walking and mountain biking through regenerating native bush with frequent bird song. George Denton playground on Highbury Road provides a local starting point for family walks and trail access, with parking available on Highbury Road near the playground.
Life in Highbury suits people who want a quieter residential base within easy reach of the central city, university and the cafés of Aro Valley and Brooklyn. The hillside location means walking and cycling involve gradients, while the bus terminus makes car-free commuting practical for many residents.
Getting Around
Metlink route 25 runs between Khandallah, the central city, Aro Valley and Highbury, with the Highbury terminus on the local street network. Stops include Highbury Road and nearby streets such as Disley Street and Moana Road.
Services connect to Lambton Quay and Wellington Station corridors. Brooklyn is also served by other Metlink routes (including 7 and 17), giving additional options a short distance away.
Walking links drop into Aro Valley and continue toward the central city and Kelburn. Cyclists use local roads and the wider network of tracks in Waimapihi Reserve. Steep gradients and limited flat land mean many households still keep a car, though off-street parking is valued on the narrow hillside streets.
Getting Outdoors
Waimapihi Reserve is the main outdoor draw. The Highbury Fling to Roller Coaster loop and the Fenceline track follow the Zealandia boundary through regenerating bush, popular with walkers, runners and intermediate mountain bikers. Dogs are permitted on lead on many of these trails. George Denton playground offers a family-friendly entry point just minutes from the city fringe.
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, the fully fenced urban ecosanctuary, lies immediately adjacent; its presence brings native birds into the surrounding suburbs. The Brooklyn Wind Turbine on the ridge above provides a well-known viewpoint over Wellington and the south coast. These spaces give Highbury a strong nature-at-the-doorstep character despite its inner-city location.
History and Heritage
The name Highbury comes from Thomas and Mary Forgham, settlers who arrived in 1864 and recalled Highbury in Birmingham. The wider hills were part of the early Ohiro district and Fitchett farming lands that later became Brooklyn. Highbury itself developed as a small residential pocket on the western side of those hills rather than as a separate commercial township.
Council planning documents group Highbury with Aro Valley, Brooklyn, Vogeltown, Mornington and Kingston for suburban reserves management. The area sits within the Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward. Its built character reflects classic Wellington hillside housing: timber homes on steep sections, many from the early twentieth century, oriented for light and outlook.
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia: Highbury, Wellington: Concise overview of location, naming history and census summary for the suburb.
Metlink route 25 timetable: Official bus times and stops for the Khandallah–Wellington–Aro Valley–Highbury service that terminates in Highbury.
WellingtonNZ: Highbury Fling to Roller Coaster loop: Trail description, grade, dog rules and access notes for the popular Waimapihi Reserve loop starting near George Denton playground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Highbury in Wellington?
Highbury is a small hillside suburb in Wellington City, located west of Brooklyn and Aro Valley and roughly 2 km from the city centre.
How do I get to Highbury by public transport?
Metlink bus route 25 runs from Khandallah through the central city and Aro Valley and terminates at Highbury. Check the Metlink timetable for current times.
Is Highbury a good place to live near the city?
It suits people seeking a quiet residential hillside setting with bush access and short links to Aro Valley, Brooklyn and the central city, while accepting steep streets and limited local shops.
What shops and cafés are near Highbury?
There is no main shopping strip inside Highbury itself. Residents use the Brooklyn village centre around Ohiro Road and Cleveland Street, and the cafés and stores along Aro Street in Aro Valley.
Are there parks and walks in Highbury?
Yes. George Denton playground sits on Highbury Road, and Waimapihi Reserve offers tracks including Highbury Fling and Fenceline beside Zealandia. The Brooklyn Wind Turbine viewpoint is a short distance away.
What schools serve Highbury?
Brooklyn School is nearby. Families also look to schools serving Aro Valley and the inner city, and the suburb is close to Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s Kelburn campus. Check current enrolment zones for specific addresses.
Where does the name Highbury come from?
Thomas and Mary Forgham, who arrived in New Zealand in 1864, named the area after Highbury in Birmingham, England.
Is Highbury close to Zealandia?
Yes. The suburb borders regenerating bush and tracks that follow the fence line of Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, so native birdsong is a regular feature of the neighbourhood.
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