Last updated October 2026
Petone (Māori: Pito-one) is a large suburb of Lower Hutt on the northern shore of Wellington Harbour, at the southern end of the Hutt Valley. It is the oldest European settlement in the Wellington region, with the first organised settlers arriving by ship in 1840.
Flat land between the hills, the Hutt River and the harbour gives it a distinctive beachfront character, while Jackson Street anchors a lively strip of shops, cafés and heritage buildings. Visitors and residents alike come for the foreshore walks, the Petone Settlers Museum, easy rail links to Wellington, and a strong sense of local history that still shapes daily life.
Practical Information
- Ward or local board
- Harbour Ward, Hutt City Council
- Getting there
- State Highway 2 and Hutt Road; Metlink trains on the Hutt Valley Line stop at Petone and Ava stations; local buses connect to Maungaraki, Korokoro and wider Lower Hutt; cycle and shared paths along the foreshore and Te Ara Tupua
- Main shopping
- Jackson Street (historic main street with boutiques, cafés, op shops and services)
- Schools
- Petone Central School (full primary, Years 0–8, Britannia Street); Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) main campus
- Nearby landmarks
- Petone Beach and foreshore, Petone Wharf, Petone Settlers Museum, Hutt Estuary, Te Puna Wai Ora artesian fountain
About Petone
Petone sits on low-lying flat land between the western hills, the Hutt River (Te Awa Kairangi) to the east and north, and Wellington Harbour to the south. The long sandy beach was formed by river sediment and uplifted during the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake, improving drainage.
Korokoro Stream enters the harbour at the western end. The Māori name Pito-one has traditionally been understood as “end of the sand,” referring to the beach with pā at each end; another interpretation links it to an umbilical cord buried in the sand as a tethering to the whenua.
Before European arrival, Te Āti Awa held two pā here: Pito-one Pā near the western end of the beach and Hikoikoi Pā near the Hutt River mouth. In 1832 Hōniana Te Puni led people from Taranaki to settle the shores.
In 1839 Te Puni and others welcomed New Zealand Company representatives arriving on the Tory. The first large group of European settlers landed from the Aurora on 22 January 1840, establishing a beach settlement initially called Britannia. Flooding later pushed many south to what became Wellington city, but Petone remained and grew.
From the late nineteenth century Petone developed as a working industrial borough with railway workshops, the Gear Meat Company, woollen mills, soap and tobacco factories, and major vehicle assembly plants including General Motors and Todd Motors. It gained borough status in 1888 and amalgamated with Lower Hutt in 1989.
Many large factories closed from the 1970s onward. The suburb has since reinvented itself around heritage, hospitality and small business, while retaining a strong community identity.
Today Petone offers a mix of residential streets, industrial and commercial zones near the harbour and Seaview, and a popular waterfront. Jackson Street is listed as a Heritage New Zealand historic area and functions as the social and retail heart.
The Petone Settlers Museum occupies the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial building on the foreshore, opened in 1940 to mark the centenary of European settlement and the arrival of the Aurora. New Zealand’s first state houses under the Workers’ Dwelling Act 1905 were built here in the Heretaunga Settlement (Patrick Street area), now recognised as a historic area.
History and Heritage
Petone’s layered history is visible in its buildings and streetscape. Jackson Street Historic Area covers buildings on both sides of the street between Victoria and Cuba Streets. Early churches include St David’s (Presbyterian, 1889) and St Augustine’s (Anglican, designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere).
The Petone Wharf, built in 1909, is a landmark heritage structure currently undergoing staged strengthening and restoration after earlier storm and earthquake damage and closure. The foreshore memorial and museum building also serve as a bathing pavilion reminder of Petone’s long beach culture.
Te Āti Awa connections remain central. Cultural narratives around Pito-one Pā and leaders such as Te Puni and Te Wharepouri are shared through council projects and the museum.
The name change proposal to restore Pito-one or Pito One received council support but was declined at ministerial level, so the official name remains Petone while the Māori name continues in common and cultural use.
Getting Around and Getting Outdoors
Petone is well connected. Petone Railway Station on the Hutt Valley Line (and junction for the Melling Branch) provides frequent Metlink services to Wellington, Upper Hutt and beyond, with park-and-ride, cycle facilities and a small bus interchange.
State Highway 2 runs along the western edge; Hutt Road and The Esplanade serve local traffic. Shared paths including Tupua Horo Nuku and Te Ara Tupua link the Eastern Bays with Wellington along the harbour edge.
The Petone foreshore and beach are popular for walking, swimming in settled conditions, fishing and family outings. The Hutt Estuary at the river mouth is a modified but ecologically noted area.
Nearby Belmont Regional Park and the start of the Remutaka Cycle Trail sections offer longer outdoor options. Te Puna Wai Ora on Buick Street supplies free artesian water from the Waiwhetu Aquifer. Memorial Park and recreation grounds support local sports clubs including long-established rugby and football clubs.
Shopping and Dining
Jackson Street is the main shopping and dining strip, known for independent retailers, specialty stores, numerous op shops, cafés and eateries set among heritage buildings. The Jackson Street Programme supports local businesses and events.
A temporary Petone Neighbourhood Hub on Jackson Street provides library and community services. The street’s character and mix of uses make it a destination for both Lower Hutt residents and day visitors from Wellington.
Where to Learn More
Hutt City Council: Official information on Petone projects, community facilities, the Petone Settlers Museum and local services.
Heritage New Zealand – Jackson Street Historic Area: Listing details and significance of Petone’s main historic commercial street.
Wikipedia – Petone: Overview of geography, history, etymology and points of interest with citations to primary sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Petone in relation to Wellington?
Petone is a suburb of Lower Hutt on the northern shore of Wellington Harbour, roughly 11 km from Wellington city centre by road or train.
What does the name Petone or Pito-one mean?
The Māori name Pito-one is commonly explained as “end of the sand,” referring to the long beach. Another interpretation links it to an umbilical cord buried in the sand. The official English name remains Petone.
How do I get to Petone by public transport?
Metlink trains on the Hutt Valley Line stop at Petone Station (and Ava). Buses serve local routes and connect to other parts of Lower Hutt. Journey planners on the Metlink website give current times.
What is there to do on the Petone foreshore?
Walk or cycle the shared paths, visit the Petone Settlers Museum, enjoy the beach and views across the harbour, and see the historic wharf area. The museum building also has strong links to early settlement commemorations.
Is Jackson Street good for shopping?
Yes. Jackson Street is Petone’s main historic shopping street with a wide mix of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and several op shops, supported by a local business programme.
Are there schools in Petone?
Petone Central School is a full primary school (Years 0–8) on Britannia Street. The main campus of Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) is also in Petone.
What is the Petone Settlers Museum?
It is a museum of local social history housed in the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial building on the foreshore. It covers Māori and European settlement stories, industry and community life.
Is Petone prone to flooding or other hazards?
As a low-lying harbour-edge suburb it can be vulnerable to flooding, storm effects and tsunami risk. Check official civil defence and council advice for current guidance.
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