Lambton Quay

Lambton Quay (once known as 'The Beach') is the heart of the central business district of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.[1][2]

Lambton Quay

The MLC Building near the south end of Lambton Quay, at Hunter St
Maintained by	Wellington City Council
Location	Wellington, New Zealand
Postal code	6011
North end	Featherston Street/Mulgrave Street/Thorndon Quay
South end	Customhouse Quay/Willeston Street/Willis Street

Originally, as the name implies, it was the high-water line of the foreshore, and sometimes the sea would roll across the road and enter the shops on the opposite side.[3] It was the site of the original European settlement in 1840 (following initial settlement on flood-prone land at Petone), which grew into Wellington.[4] In the 19th century Pipitea Pa was situated at the extreme northern end of Lambton Quay - the section of road in this area is now known as Thorndon Quay.[5] Land uplift caused by the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake and further reclamation have left Lambton Quay some 250 metres from the current shoreline.[1][6] Kumototo Stream used to flow from the Terrace, down what is now Woodward Street and across Lambton Quay to the waterfront. This stream was culverted in the late 19th century.[7]

Lambton Quay is named after John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham, the first chairman of directors of the New Zealand Company.[1]

Lambton Quay, Willis Street and Courtenay Place form what is known locally as the Golden Mile.[8] The city's retail trade has spread further south to include Manners Street and Cuba Street, but Lambton Quay remains a major commercial thoroughfare. In 2020 it was estimated that about 70,000 people travel on Lambton Quay and Willis Street each day, mostly on foot or by bus.[9] It is also of administrative significance, with the New Zealand Parliament Buildings towards the northern end.[10] The Wellington cenotaph is also located at this end, next to Parliament.[11]

The Wellington Cable Car runs from Lambton Quay to the top of the Botanic Garden. James Henry Marriott, who arrived from London in 1843, had a bookshop here.[12]

The length of Lambton Quay is punctuated by several notable sculptures.[13]