Onslow Historical Society Inc.
Established 1968
A summary of recent past events
Thanks to those who joined our Labour Day Heritage Festival event: John G’s Ngaio historical walk.
It was well received despite being some rain towards the end which caused a hasty exit by walkers. We were very lucky to be invited inside Crofton by Margaret Domett, and be hosted in the Rider’s garden in Aplin Tce.
See Independent Herald 30 October 2025 edition for more information.
27 October 2025
Members joined Historic Places Wellington’s visit to the (former) Brigidine Convent in Johnsonville. They heard about the community work of Challenge 2000 and toured the beautifully restored Convent building. The visit was hosted by CE Hon Poto Williams and youth worker Bobbie Gibbins. Members enjoyed a delicious morning tea. Felicity then led a walking tour of nearby heritage sites in Johnsonville. The group visited the Leonard Retter Boer War Memorial, St John’s Anglican church, Johnsonville’s oldest commercial building (the 1883 coach and farriers building behind the Post Office), and the historic Methodist Cemetery (in Norman Lane). The group enjoyed seeing the restored (once neglected) cemetery and its lovely view of the township in spring sunshine.
For more information see the Independent Herald 2 October 2025.
27 September 2025
Pacific Canoe Voyaging - 14 September 2025
KATE, 86 Khandallah Road
Pacific Canoe Voyaging:
Kelvin Nairn spoke about his experiences voyaging across the Pacific with Jim Siers in the 1970s.
See Spring 2025 Newsletter for more information.
Around 140 people attended the celebration of the centenary of Ngaio Town Hall. The hall was dressed beautifully for its’ party - a banner, bunting, flags, pink and green balloons, silver cups, flowers and two birthday cakes, one gifted by WCC, presented on green pink and black tablecloths provided by NCDRA. The band - Buzz’s Buzzing Brass Band - added pizzazz and were skillful, colourful in yellow and black, and professional. Speeches were made by Ian Turk, NCDRA President, Felicity Wong, OHS President, Peter Dunne (Patron), and Viv Chapple. Peter and a small child placed a paper poppy on the War Memorial. Special mention goes to Clive Sowry, OHS member for his impressive hall display and member Clare Gleeson (Onslow Garden Club) for Historical Gardening in the Hall display. There was lots of delicious food.
See Spring 2025 Newsletter for more information.
Ngaio Town Hall Centenary - 3 August 2025
Family History - 20 July 2025
Catherine Ruth gave a talk to the Onslow Historical Society about researching family history and genealogy. She’s a retired librarian with a long career in research using public records. Catherine said that Māori oral history had been proven to be reliable in accurately recording many generations of tupuna (ancestors). Many resources on line mean it’s easy to find family connections and delve into the history, and communities in which family members lived.
Refreshments followed.
AGM 11 Jun2 205
The committee was re-elected. John Martin spoke on "Potato Grounds to Suburban Bliss - how road and rail created Ngaio and Khandallah".
George Walter showed a video.
Refreshments followed.
“History of Taranaki Whanui, the Mana Whenua of Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington)”
by Te Karanga o Te Tūī Marino (“TK”)
3 May 2025
Kapiti Museum Visit - 9 March 2025
George Walter arranged for OHS members to be hosted by the Kapiti Museum in Waikanae.
Further information is available in the Autumn 2025 newsletter.
Waitangi Day Walk
On 6 February Chris Horne and John Galloway led members on a walk through Khandallah down the Bridle Path to Kaiwharawhara. The group explored some historic sites in the Kaiwharawhara Stream Valley.
The walk was reported in the 20 February edition of the Independent Herald. Further information is also available Autumn 2025 newsletter.
2024 Christmas Party
It was a scrumptious afternoon tea that Viv Chapple provided for our Christmas party on 24 November. The themed offerings included traditional Christmas cake and Blackberry Shrub (non-alcoholic fruit drink), together with asparagus rolls and biscotti and other yummy homemade treats. We had sherry and cherries too. It was great to have Patron Peter Dunne with us, and Councillor Ray Chung also. Past President Murray Pillar reminded us of all the impressive and varied musical experiences that OHS had put on for its past Christmas events, including garden parties - hard acts to follow. This year we opted for an engaging OHS-themed quiz, which Viv Chapple hosted.
The Halfway House Visit, Glenside
On 3 November 2024 OHS members were hosted by Paul Bicknell and Claire Bibby at the historic Halfway House for a garden tour and tea. The garden has many heritage plants, and Paul and Claire are engaging and interesting hosts. The Halfway House was looking absolutely splendid, framed by its beautiful garden.
Guided walk of MotoKairangi / Miramar Peninsular
Chris Horne led a walk on Labour Day 2024, which despite intermittent rain was very interesting. A report of the walk was reported in the Independent Herald edition for 21 November 2024
Wartime Secrets From the Family Home
Tom McGrath, a Karori resident, captured members with his talk on the impact of WW1 and WW2 on the McGrath family. Tom's father served in WW2 but did not speak about his experiences. When Tom discovered his father's letters to his parents, it became the basis for this book. His talk was followed by a war themed supper.
AGM followed by a Guest Speaker, Vivienne Morrell "Settlers Clearings: Making a new home on Wellington's country acres in the 1840s and 1850s".
The AGM was held. Judy Siers who had been the President for many years until her recent resignation was thanked for her services. Felicity Wong was elected President.
Vivienne Morrell spoke about the early settlers in Wellington. She quoted many interesting diary excerpts to bring the stories to life.
Future Plans: A talk by Gábor Tóth - 2 May 2024
The years leading up to the First World War saw a large increase in Wellington’s population with a booming economy and high migration from the UK. Coupled with local body amalgamation and improved transport infrastructure, property developers and business ‘syndicates’ seized the opportunity to acquire and subdivide large blocks of land for new housing on the outskirts of the city with varying degrees of success.
Gábor Tóth gave a fascinating talk drawing upon newly digitised advertising bills and subdivision plans selected from the heritage collections of the Onslow Historical Society and Wellington City Libraries. This digital online collection of maps and plans is available here.
Karori Cemetery Tour and Talk - 20 March 2024
Richard Bentley, from Friends of Karori Cemetery led a group of ten on a tour of the graves of Nation Builders, telling us interesting stories of their lives.
Thanks to George Walter for photo
A Korimako Catchment Walk - Waitangi Day 2024
Waitangi Day Walk 6 February 2024
Chris Horne and John Galloway led about 30 people around the valleys which are tributaries of Ngaio's Korimako Stream through a number of historic sites.
Thanks to George Walter for photo
Christmas Party 2023
Sunday 26 November 2023
Judy Siers and Jillian Carpenter read extracts of past Christmases. Viv Chapple and Christine Davies hosted the event. Afternoon tea was served, prepared by Viv.
Judy is sitting in the Onslow Borough Mayor's chair.
Wellington Heritage Festival Events
Labour Day, Monday 23 October - Heritage sites walk in Seatoun, Miramar and Kilbirnie -
A gentle four hour walk finishing in Hataitai, led by Chris Horne and John Galloway.
Wednesday 1 November - "Plating Up" A talk about the history of eating out in Wellington
By Gábor Tóth, Wellington City Libraries
Onslow Historical Society Oral History Talk 30 July 2023
Oral histories are an important part of the historical and archival work practised worldwide. Lynette Shum, Oral History Advisor, Alexander Turnbull Library and Ann Packer, Oral historian, writer and editor. They gave lively and fascinating talks about their passion for oral history and its value.
Onslow Historical Society AGM 24 May 2023
The AGM included election of officers followed by:
Presentation of website by Geraldine Needham-Girven
By George video screenings and talk by George Walter, OHS member
Ngaio Heritage Centre Launch 4 May 2023
The Heritage Centre located in Cummings Park library, Ngaio was officially opened. The centre holds a selection of reference materials for both family and local history research, including microfilmed newspapers and indexes to births, deaths and marriages.
John Martin 29 March 2023
John Martin, author-historian
John was going to talk about his book, Empire City Wellington becomes the capital of New Zealand, but he was unable to attend. Judy Siers spoke about John's work and his presentation was shown.
Julia Millen 26 February 2023
Julia Millen, author, historian, speaker and adventurer
Julia spoke about her memoir, Fair Weather Hitchhiker, and her memories of her youth in Khandallah.
Waitangi Holiday Day 6 February 2023
Waitangi Day walk with Chris Horne
Mt Kau Kau - The North-side Story
The walk started at Raroa Station Station, then went through Onslow College's ground to Johnsonville Park, through regenerating bush and the remains of Johnsonville's first water supply scheme along the Northern walkway to Mt Kau Kau, ending at Khandallah Park