Award Nominee

The Wrights Hill Fortress Restoration Society Inc. was established in 1992, with the aim of conserving and restoring this most important historic feature for the benefit of all New Zealanders. Within the Wellington Region, it is historically and architecturally unique.

The Wrights Hill Fortress was constructed as a 9.2 long range Counter Bombardment Battery during World War Two to protect Wellington from the threat of bombardment by hostile warships.

Although much of the Fortress is located underground, there are many surface structures in the complex, that include: 3 Gun Pits, 4 War Shelters, an Observation Post, A Mini Range building and air inlet and exhaust structures. Foundations and remains of several other ancillary structures (workshops etc ) also remain on the site.

At the time of commencement of construction (1942) Wrights Hill was farmland. Following decommissioning of the Fortress, and the scrapping of the guns (1960) the land reverted to gorse, scrub and weeds.

When the Restoration Society took over the care of the site in 1992 it was a mess. Gorse, scrub and weeds had taken over most of the area to the extent that growth was encroaching on, and threatening the integrity of, many major concrete structures.

A professional Conservation Plan was drawn up (funded by the Wellington City Council) and this contains guidelines for weed and vegetation control.

In line with the Conservation Plan, the Society has been very proactive in recent years in:

Removing gorse, scrub and weeds surrounding (and damaging) surface structures of the Fortress.

The establishment of open spaces and lawns surrounding significant structures

The eradication of noxious plants surrounding the Fortress where their appearance becomes apparent. ( Old Man s Beard etc )

The Society keeps an ongoing commitment to keep the Fortress free of noxious and other unwelcome vegetation. This is put into practice by regular working bees, by voluntary Members.

The overall result to date has been a vast improvement in the appearance of this previously abandoned and desolate site and greatly improved scope for the use and enjoyment of it, by all.

The Society does acknowledge that it has not been alone in achieving the current improvements to the top of Wrights Hill. Local Conservation Societies have also made a substantial contribution, by way of planting many Native trees and the Wellington City Council has as also played a major role, with access improvements and pest control.

The Wrights Hill Fortress Restoration Society Inc. has also participated in recent weed busting operations elsewhere:

Recently, a large number of Members gave their time towards a major clean up at Fort Balance.

Fort Balance, (named after past New Zealand Premier John Balance), is located on the Northern tip of the Miramar Peninsular in Wellington.

It is Wellington s most significant 19th / early 20th century Coastal Defence site, - and it had become severely overgrown in recent years by bush, scrub and weeds.

The Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust organized this project, but the input of the Wrights Hill volunteers was significant. Again, a very satisfying result was achieved.

To conclude, the Wrights Hill Fortress Restoration Society Inc. is to be commended for its past and ongoing commitment to weed busting activities. Their efforts to date have achieved a distinct and pleasing improvement to what is certainly one of the finest vantage points (and recreational areas) in Wellington.