{{Short description|Suburb of Wellington City, New Zealand}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2021}} {{Infobox New Zealand suburb | name = Oriental Bay | image = Quartier Oriental Bay.jpg | caption1 = Oriental Bay, the [[Tararua Range|Tararuas]] in the far distance | location_map = | coordinates = {{coord|41|17|30|S|174|47|40|E|region:NZ-WGN_type:city|display=it}} | city1 = Wellington City | council = [[Wellington City Council]] | ward = {{ubl|Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward|Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward}} | established = | area = 30 | arearef =<ref name="Area" /> | population = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Oriental Bay|y}} | popsource = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2||||y}} | popdate = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | trainstations = | ferryterminals = | airports = | hospitals = | mapframe = y | mapframe-zoom = 13 | caption2 = }} {{Adjacent place | centre = Oriental Bay | north = [[Wellington Harbour]] | northeast = | east = [[Roseneath, Wellington|Roseneath]] | southeast = | south = [[Wellington Town Belt]] | southwest = | west = [[Mount Victoria (Wellington suburb)|Mount Victoria]] and [[Te Aro]] | northwest = }}
'''Oriental Bay''' is a bay and suburb of [[Wellington]], the [[capital city]] of New Zealand. Known for being both a popular beach and an opulent centre of affluence in the city,<ref name="Singer">{{Cite web|last=Singer|first=Michelle|title=Oriental Bay: A Wellington Neighborhood Near the City Center That Feels Like a Holiday Destination|url=https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/oriental-bay-a-wellington-neighborhood-near-the-city-center-that-feels-like-a-holiday-destination-208553|access-date=22 November 2020|website=www.mansionglobal.com|date=26 October 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> it is located close to the [[Central Business District|central business district]] on [[Wellington Harbour]].
It has the closest beach to the central city and is thus a popular destination for locals, who swarm here especially in the warmer months (December to March).<ref name="Singer"/><ref>{{Cite web|last1=McLean|first1=Gavin|last2=Taonga|first2=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu|title=Wellington's Riviera|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/13184/wellingtons-riviera|access-date=22 November 2020|website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Painted ladies]] and other historic houses, such as those in distinctly Wellingtonian [[Streamline Moderne|streamline moderne]] style, are prominent alongside and up into the hills that face the bay. Situated against the northern slope of [[Mount Victoria (Wellington hill)|Mount Victoria]], the suburb lies {{convert|1.5|km|abbr=off}} southeast of the city centre, at the start of a coastal route which continues around into [[Evans Bay]]. Oriental Bay was originally named Duppa Bay, after its sole original resident George Duppa, but in 1843 he renamed it after the ''Oriental,'' one of the first ships to bring settlers to Wellington. Originally described as a remote "dreary-looking spot" of rocks lying between cliffs and the sea used primarily for quarantining foreigners,<ref name="Life's a beach in Oriental Bay">{{Cite web|date=16 September 2020|title=Life's a beach in Oriental Bay|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/about-wellington/history/throwbackthursday/oriental-parade|access-date=22 November 2020|website=[[Wellington City Council]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> it has undergone considerable changes since the early stages of European settlement.
Many landmarks were built during the 20th century, including grand streamlined moderne houses like the Olympus Building and the Anscombe Apartments, and the modernist [[Freyberg Pool]] built in the 1960s. However, the beach's greatest renovation came in 2004, when 22,000 tonnes of sand was shipped from [[Golden Bay / Mohua|Golden Bay]] to rebuild the beach, which had become worn down over many years.<ref name="Life's a beach in Oriental Bay" />
The [[Carter Fountain]] is a distinctive feature in the bay, as is a wooden pontoon which is often covered in swimmers. A small section of the bay that lies beside Freyberg Pool is known as Freyberg Beach, after Lord Freyberg.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 January 2020|title=Freyberg Beach|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/enjoy-the-outdoors/beaches-and-coast/central-city/freyberg-beach|access-date=22 November 2020|website=[[Wellington City Council]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
==History==
=== 19th century === Oriental Bay was originally known as Duppa Bay, after the first and only resident at the time, George Duppa,<ref name=wcchistory>{{cite web|url=http://wellington.govt.nz/about-wellington/history/throwbackthursday/oriental-parade|title=Life's a beach in Oriental Bay|date=23 November 2022 |publisher=[[Wellington City Council]] }}</ref> who later renamed the area Oriental Bay after [[New Zealand Company ships#Oriental|the ship]] that he arrived in New Zealand on in 1840.<ref name=stuffhistory>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/6807955/Streetwise-History-Oriental-Bay|work=The Wellingtonian|first=Julia|last=Hollingsworth|date=26 April 2012|title=Streetwise History: Oriental Bay}}</ref> The area was originally farm land and was used as a quarantine station with a nurse and tent on the beach,<ref name=wcchistory /> and by whalers, which resulted in a pungent odour from the boiled whale blubber.<ref name=wcchistory />
David Wilkinson from Ayrshire, Scotland, was an early Wellington resident and gardener who lived at Grass Street, Oriental Bay in a house named Roseneath Cottage. He opened{{Anchor|Wilkinson's Tea Gardens}} '''Wilkinson's Tea Gardens''' at the bay in 1850.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 Dec 1850 |title=Notice to the inhabitants of Wellington and vicinity |work=Wellington Independent |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WI18501214.2.2.5 |url-status= |access-date=20 Feb 2021 |via=Paperspast}}</ref> The tea gardens was a fashionable place to visit for many years until it closed in the early 20th century.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 1880 |title=[untitled] |pages=2 |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18800927.2.9 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Shepherd |first=Winsome |title=Wellington's heritage: plants, gardens and landscape |publisher=Te Papa Press |year=2000 |isbn=9780909010737 |edition=Revised 2001 |location=Wellington, New Zealand |pages=188}}</ref> Visitors would walk along the waterfront to enjoy tea and music in the tea rooms, wander around the garden and take away a posy of flowers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 May 1912 |title=Taking tea at the gardens |pages=9 |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19120518.2.94 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> The 'Roseneath Estate' began to be developed in 1886<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 Apr 1886 |title=Point Jerningham : Another suburban township |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18860410.2.23 |url-status= |access-date=20 Feb 2021 |via=Paperspast}}</ref> and probably took its name from Wilkinson's business. Walking access from Oriental Bay to [[Roseneath, Wellington|Roseneath]] begins at the top of Grass Street outside Wilkinson's house, now 13 Grass Street, at the foot of Wilkinson Street.
Wilkinson also grew grapes commercially and operated a plant nursery, until at least 1891.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 Feb 1891 |title=[untitled] |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP18910216.2.9 |url-status= |access-date=20 Feb 2021 |quote=Hothouse grapes, with special varieties for invalids, are advertised for sale by D. N. Wilkinson, of Roseneath Gardens, Oriental Bay. |via=Paperspast}}</ref> Wilkinson died in 1902 but his son was still growing grapes in hothouses at Oriental Bay in 1913.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 1913 |title=Loc al and General |pages=4 |work=Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19130317.2.13 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> Wilkinson junior died in 1919<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 May 1919 |title=Personal |work=[[Wanganui Herald]] |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH19190517.2.23 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> and the tea garden property was divided up for housing in 1923.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 June 1923 |title=Wilkinson's Tea Gardens |work=Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19230608.2.111 |via=Papers Past}}</ref>
The first public baths at Oriental Bay was an open-air saltwater pool opened in 1864<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2 August 1864 |title=Wellington sea bathing establishment |work=Wellington Independent |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WI18640802.2.11 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 December 1864 |title=The Wellington swimming bath |work=Wellington Independent |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WI18641201.2.7 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> where the Clyde Quay boat harbour is now. The baths was operated for many years by Henry and Matilda Meech, and known as Te Aro Baths, Clyde Quay Baths or Meech's Baths. The original pool was 130 ft by 72 ft,<ref name=":1" /> but it was enlarged in 1877.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 November 1877 |title=[untitled] |pages=2 |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP18771128.2.7 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> An 1897 description stated that "the baths are securely protected from the visits of sea monsters".<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Te Aro Swimming Baths {{!}} NZETC |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc01Cycl-t1-body-d4-d46-d5.html |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}}</ref> Around the pool there were 34 dressing rooms and rooms for refreshments.<ref name=":02" />
From the 1870s a quarry existed near the base of Carlton Gore Road.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 1923 |title=Land adjoining proposed Lift, Roseneath [map] |url=https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/103521 |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=Archives Online |language=en}}</ref> A temporary railway line was built in the 1880s to take spoil from the quarry for the Te Aro reclamation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 March 1888 |title=[untitled] |pages=4 |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18880302.2.15 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> The former quarry was developed into a small park in the early 1900s.
Settlement of the area increased in the 1880s and residents and landowners began petitioning Wellington Harbour Board and Wellington City Council, asking that the bay not be used for industrial purposes such as ship repairs, that the road be improved and a promenade built, and that the bay should be kept clean of all the refuse and dead animals that swept up along the waterfront.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 1884 |title=Town and country |work=New Zealand Mail |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZMAIL18840801.2.67 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 April 1890 |title=[untitled] |pages=4 |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18900401.2.21 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 February 1891 |title=En passant |work=New Zealand Mail |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZMAIL18910227.2.47 |via=Papers Past}}</ref>
=== 20th century === [[File:Oriental Bay Wellington 1947 SLNSW FL9447807.jpg|thumb|280px|Beach bathing, Oriental Bay, Wellington, January, 1947]] Public amenities developed further in the early 1900s included public transport, improvements to Te Aro baths, road improvements, construction of the promenade, installation of the band rotunda, opening of a tea kiosk, and planting of trees.<ref name="stuffhistory" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 1919 |title=News of the day |pages=4 |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19190310.2.20 |via=Papers Past}}</ref>
In 1901 Meech's Baths were demolished and Wellington City Council built new public baths with men's and women's sections, known as '''Te Aro Baths''', further along the waterfront at the site of today's Freyberg Pool.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 April 1901 |title=[untitled] |pages=4 |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19010402.2.18.6 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 October 1901 |title=The Te Aro baths |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19011014.2.34 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> The baths were enlarged in 1909.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 1909 |title=News notes |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19090115.2.32 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 November 1907 |title=The City Baths |work=Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19071118.2.70 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> Schools held swimming lessons at the baths, and swimming competitions took place there too. By the 1960s the baths were in disrepair: in 1962 a storm carried away a section of the wall and dressing rooms.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 1962 |title=Wall swept out to sea |work=Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19621227.2.82 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> The baths were replaced by Freyberg Pool, which opened in 1963.
Trams began running along Oriental Parade in September 1904.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 September 1904 |title=Tramway matters |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19040923.2.57 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> They were replaced by buses in 1950.
In 1911, Wellington City Council began building a sea wall along Oriental Bay from the Te Aro Baths to Point Jerningham. The work was done in stages as funding allowed, and was completed as far as the tea kiosk at Point Jerningham by 1924.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 August 1924 |title=Finished at last |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19240822.2.24 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Cochran |first1=Chris |url=https://pnrp.gw.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/HS6-Technical-Appendix-C-Coastal-Historic-Heritage-of-the-Wellington-Region-2012.pdf |title=Coastal historic heritage of the Wellington region [report] |last2=Kelly |first2=Michael |last3=Dodd |first3=Andy |publisher=Greater Wellington Regional Council |year=2012 |edition=Revised 2014 |location=Wellington, New Zealand |pages=50–58 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711214136/https://pnrp.gw.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/HS6-Technical-Appendix-C-Coastal-Historic-Heritage-of-the-Wellington-Region-2012.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Gaps behind the sea wall were filled in and a promenade created. The sea wall is heritage-listed by Wellington City Council.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-10 |title=The story behind our sea walls |url=https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-information/our-wellington/2021/06/sea-wall-repairs |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=[[Wellington City Council]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
Construction of the sea wall decreased the size of the rocky beach, and there were calls for sand to be brought in to enlarge and improve the area.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 January 1911 |title=City Council |work=Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19111020.2.68 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 February 1916 |title=The sands of Oriental Bay |work=[[NZ Truth]] |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTR19160205.2.39 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 February 1939 |title=Board's experiment |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19390203.2.26 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> A big boost to the beach came during World War 2, when ships from England brought sand as ballast which was then dumped at Oriental Bay.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 1944 |title=Boon to bathers |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19440630.2.66 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> Almost 20,000 tons of sand was deposited on the beach during 1944–1945.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 August 1944 |title=Bristol Channel sands |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19440822.2.21 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 1944 |title=Not holding well |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19441227.2.57 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 April 1945 |title=More sand |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19450424.2.90 |via=Papers Past}}</ref>
The '''Oriental Bay Tea Kiosk''' opened in April 1913 on the site of a former quarry and industrial store at what is now 370 Oriental Bay, at the base of Carlton Gore Road. The ground floor held a large tea rooms and on the second storey was a dance hall with a sprung floor and glassed-in balcony around it.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 1913 |title=Oriental Tea Kiosk: a fine building |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19130405.2.16 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 April 1913 |title=A seaside retreat |work=Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19130410.2.94 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> In 1916 dancing had "gone out of fashion" so the upper level was converted into a 31-room private hotel.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 1916 |title=[untitled] |pages=10 |work=Freelance |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZFL19160211.2.15 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 January 1916 |title=News of the day |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19160128.2.25 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> From about 1921 until the 1940s the building became the '''Oriental Private Hotel''' (or Orient Private Hotel).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oriental Bay tea kiosk, 1914 |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/oriental-bay-tea-kiosk-1914 |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref> From then until 1957 the building was a YWCA hostel, and from 1957 it was a Labour Department hostel for civil servants, especially young people newly arrived in Wellington for training courses or new careers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hostel, 360 Oriental Bay |url=https://wellington.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/1718 |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=Wellington City Libraries |language=en}}</ref> Around 1980 the building was demolished and replaced by a Park Royal hotel,<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 August 1981 |title=Luxury hotel for Wellington |work=Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19810822.2.53 |via=Papers Past}}</ref> which became Raffaele Hotel and was then sold in 2003 and converted into apartments.<ref name="Life's a beach in Oriental Bay" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Mulrooney |first=Paul |date=11 April 2003 |title=Oriental bay landmark sold |work=Dominion Post |id={{ProQuest|337911081}}}}</ref>
The Carter Fountain was installed in the bay in 1973.
Taxi drivers commonly used their own slang to refer to Oriental Bay as "China Bay".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taxis and cabs {{!}} Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/taxis-and-cabs/print |access-date=2025-08-11 |website=teara.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref>
In December 1983 a large festival called 'The Sun Festival' took place at Oriental Bay as part of the [[Summer City (Wellington)]] festivities.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |title=Bleakley, Joe, fl 1980-2000s: Photographs relating to the Wellington Sun Festival in 1983 |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/32055565 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> A reported 80,000 people participated and attended. There was a procession along the promenade which had been colourfully painted by local high schools, and a procession of rafts encircled the Carter Fountain followed by fireworks and music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sun Festival - Description |url=https://joebleakley.com/sunfest_description.htm |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=joebleakley.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sturm |first=Debra |date=12 December 1983 |title=Dazzling colour, lights, welcome summer sun |work=Evening Post |pages=3}}</ref>
===21st century=== In the early 2000s Freyberg Beach, the area of Oriental Bay next to Freyberg Pool, was redeveloped in a project costing $7.5 million. A grassed picnic area was enlarged, sand was brought in to extend the beach, and a pier, toilet block and multi-level sea platform were built. The project was awarded the George Malcolm Supreme Award in the Rural/Park/Recreational category of the [[New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |date=31 March 2004 |title=Bay revamp contender for award |work=Dominion Post |id={{ProQuest|337961346}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Award Winners {{!}} New Zealand Pride of Place Landscape Architecture {{!}} New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora |url=https://nzila.co.nz/awards/new-zealand-pride-of-place-landscape-architectur-2 |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=nzila.co.nz}}</ref> 22,000 tonnes of sand from Wainui Bay in Golden Bay was brought in to expand both Oriental and Freyberg Beach.<ref name=wcchistory /> Wind and waves cause the sand to shift, so twice a year Wellington City Council moves the sand around to maintain the beaches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-19 |title=Oriental Bay's biannual sand shift explained |url=https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/news-and-information/our-wellington/2021/11/oriental-bays-biannual-sand-shift-explained |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=[[Wellington City Council]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> In 2019 this was stated to cost about $70,000 per year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desmarais |first=Felix |date=2019-11-21 |title=Oriental Bay twice-yearly sand shift costs ratepayers $70k a year |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/117565968/oriental-bay-twiceyearly-sand-shift-costs-ratepayers-70k-a-year |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref> The sand needs to be topped up every ten to twelve years, so in 2015 the Council imported 2400 tonnes of sand from Dunedin.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Katie |date=2015-06-16 |title=Oriental Bay gets a fresh batch of sand |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/69422699/oriental-bay-gets-a-fresh-batch-of-sand |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref> The sand at Oriental Bay is quite coarse-grained, to minimise loss to wind. Special soft sand is brought in for volleyball matches.<ref name=":2" />
Oriental Bay is a site for topless sunbathing.<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 January 2009|title=Capital's beaches open to nudists|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/650837/Capitals-beaches-open-to-nudists|access-date=1 December 2021|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref> In December 2016, a [[Free the Nipple (campaign)|Free The Nipple Beach Day]] was held there.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 December 2016|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/87683141/ethics-debate-sprouts-at-wellington-free-the-nipple-beach-day|title=Ethics debate sprouts at Wellington Free the Nipple Beach Day|access-date=21 December 2016|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref>
Oriental Parade has been used for cycling and running races on a course around the coast since the nineteenth century.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 November 1894 |title=News of the day |pages=2 |work=New Zealand Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18941128.2.10 |quote=The usual weekly run of the Harriers took place last night round the Rocks via Oriental Bay and back. |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 1903 |title=Local and General |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19030917.2.19 |quote=Over fifty men will compete in the teams race of the Wellington Harriers, which will take place next Saturday afternoon. The water frontage — Post Office to Patent Slip and back again — is the course. |via=Papers Past}}</ref> The '''Round the Bays''' fun run has taken place since the 1970s and is the third-largest mass-participation event in New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us {{!}} Wellington Round the Bays |url=https://www.wellingtonroundthebays.co.nz/aboutus |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=BFS Round the Bays |language=en}}</ref> Runners and walkers begin in the CBD, usually at [[Frank Kitts Park]], and travel around the coastline, along Oriental Bay and around past Evans Bay to Kilbirnie. More than 10,000 people took part in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunseath |first=Finlay |date=2023-02-20 |title=Thousands turn out for 'wonderful' Round the Bays fun run |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/131272556/thousands-turn-out-for-wonderful-round-the-bays-fun-run |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref>
== Points of interest ==
=== Norfolk pines === [[Araucaria heterophylla|Norfolk pines]] are a distinctive feature of the promenade along Oriental Bay. The first seedlings were planted in 1921,<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 April 1921 |title=Local and General |work=Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19210419.2.15 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 April 1921 |title=Oriental Bay Parade |work=Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19210420.2.84 |via=Papers Past}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 April 1922 |title=[untitled] |pages=4 |work=Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19220403.2.16 |quote=Most of the little trees are now between eighteen inches and two feet in height, and are showing a healthy green top. |via=Papers Past}}</ref> and planting continued for several years. The mature trees, some up to 15 m tall, line most of Oriental Parade and are listed as heritage trees by Wellington City Council.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 October 2020 |title=WCC Trees |url=https://data-wcc.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/93ca9097fd4b487e9fcf55ad75941136/explore?location=-41.290985,174.792202,17.10 |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=[[Wellington City Council]] |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Volume 1: Objectives, Policies & Rules / Heritage / Heritage List: Areas, Buildings, Objects, Trees & Maori Sites |url=https://eplan.wellington.govt.nz/eplan/rules/0/33/0/0/0/141 |access-date=12 September 2023 |website=[[Wellington City Council]] }}</ref> In 2017 there were fears that [[kākā]] were damaging the trees.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Tom |date=2017-12-11 |title=Wellington pays price of kākā increase, as 20 damaged trees have to be cut down |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/99726373/wellington-pays-price-of-kk-increase-as-20-damaged-trees-have-to-be-cut-down |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref> Many of the trees are illuminated at night with strings of lights along their branches.
=== St Gerard's church and monastery === {{Main|St Gerard's Church and Monastery}} St Gerard's is a brick church and monastery built on a [[promontory]] (Fitzgerald Point) overlooking Oriental Bay. The church was built in 1908 and the monastery in 1932. Together they form a distinctive landmark above the bay.
=== Band rotunda === {{Main|Oriental Bay Band Rotunda}} The Oriental Bay Band Rotunda is a heritage-listed structure located in the middle of Oriental Bay.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oriental Parade Band Rotunda (Former) |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/2894/Oriental%20Parade%20Band%20Rotunda%20(Former) |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=[[Heritage New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> It was built in 1936 to replace an earlier wooden band rotunda and originally was a one-storey pavilion with changing rooms for swimmers and an open-air viewing platform. A second storey was added in 1985 that became a restaurant. The basement was closed in 2012 because of earthquake risk, and the [[2016 Kaikōura earthquake]] caused damage that led to closure of the restaurant level. Redevelopment of the building was proposed on several occasions, but in December 2024, Wellington City Council announced that it would be redeveloped as the "Wellington Pavilion", including a restaurant and bar, and retaining public access to the top level.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Deborah |date=16 June 2025 |title=A new look for the old Wellington band rotunda - and a new backer |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360725293/new-look-old-wellington-band-rotunda-and-new-backer |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.thepost.co.nz}}</ref>
=== Carter Fountain === {{Main|Carter Fountain}}
The Carter Fountain was donated to the city in 1973 by local businessman Hugh Carter, in memory of his parents. The fountain spouts water {{convert|16|m}} into the air, and is illuminated at night.<ref name="fountain of history">{{cite news |last1=Greenland |first1=James |date=5 July 2012 |title=A fountain of history |newspaper=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/7223530/A-fountain-of-history |accessdate=13 June 2014}}</ref> The band rotunda holds the land-based electrical components for the fountain.<ref name="fountain of history" /> During events such as arts festivals, images have been projected onto the spray from the fountain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 1983 |title=[Sun Festival] Pageant - pic 255 |url=http://joebleakley.com/sun255.htm |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=joebleakley.com |quote=Children's faces projected onto a screen of water made with the Carter Fountain conclude the spectacle.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-22 |title=Ballerina projection towers over Wellington's Carter Fountain as an art canvas for Performance Arcade |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/110786894/ballerina-projection-towers-over-wellingtons-carter-fountain-as-an-art-canvas-for-performance-arcade |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref>
=== Freyberg Pool === {{Main|Freyberg Pool}}
Freyberg Pool is an indoor public swimming pool built out into Oriental Bay. It was opened in 1963 near the site of the former Te Aro Baths, an outdoor saltwater pool. Freyberg Pool is named after [[Bernard Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg|Bernard Freyberg]], a former governor-general of New Zealand. Freyberg was a keen swimmer and had trained at the Te Aro Baths.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archived articles|url=http://orientalbay.org.nz/stories|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Oriental Bay Residents Association|language=en-NZ}}</ref> He died in 1963 so the new pool was named after him. The building is classified as a "Category I" ("places of 'special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value'") historic place by Heritage New Zealand.
=== Tug boat restaurant === A former tug boat is permanently moored in the lagoon next to Freyberg Pool. The ship, originally called ''Aucklander'', was built in Scotland in 1958 and served as a tug boat in Auckland until 1986. It was sold and brought to Wellington in October 1986. The engines and other parts were removed and after refurbishment the tug was renamed ''Tapuhi II'' and moved to Oriental Bay where it opened as a restaurant and function centre in February 1992. The business was initially known as Tugboat on the Bay, and later Skippers Seafood Restaurant, then Boat Cafe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Chloe |date=2017-07-07 |title=Wellington's tugboat, Boat Cafe business, up for grabs |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/94428119/wellingtons-tugboat-boat-cafe-business-up-for-grabs |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref>
=== Heritage-listed buildings === Apart from the band rotunda, Oriental Bay is the location of several other heritage-listed buildings:
* Tram Shelter (Former) built in 1904<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tram Shelter (Former) |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/1343/Tram%20Shelter%20(Former) |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=[[Heritage New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> * [[Edmund Anscombe|Anscombe Flats]], an art deco apartment block<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anscombe Flats |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/1333/Anscombe%20Flats#details |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=[[Heritage New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> * Apartment building at 300 Oriental Parade<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apartment building |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/2892/Apartment%20Building#details |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=[[Heritage New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> * Inverleith Flats, an apartment building at 306 Oriental Parade<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inverleith Flats |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/1396/Inverleith%20Flats |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=[[Heritage New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
=== Wishing well === A tiled wishing well opposite the beach at Oriental Bay was built by members of Wellington Jaycees in 1960. The well was designed by local resident Belinda Reburn, and the tiles featuring wildlife including fish, crabs, starfish, sea snails, shells and seagulls were made by Neville Porteous, with some of them being painted by Helene Carroll.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Wishing Well |url=https://publicart.nz/artworks/belinda-reburn-neville-porteous-helene-carroll-1960 |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=publicart.nz |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Bay |first=Oriental |date=2016-05-01 |title=Have a Wish at Our Wishing Well |url=http://orientalbay.org.nz/stories/2016/05/1/have-a-wish-at-our-wishing-well |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=Oriental Bay Residents Association |language=en-NZ}}</ref> A plaque beside the well shows a quotation by Shakespeare: "Sweet health and fair desires/Consort your grace,/Thy own wish—wish I thee/In every place".<ref name=":3" /> The well was refurbished in 1996.<ref name=":0" />
== Demographics == Oriental Bay statistical area covers {{Convert|0.30|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised)|access-date=19 March 2026}}</ref> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Oriental Bay|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Oriental Bay|y}}|R}}/0.30|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|2006|1,428|2013|1,383|2018|1,389|2023|1,350|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Oriental Bay (252300)|oriental-bay|Oriental Bay}}</ref>}} Oriental Bay had a population of 1,350 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], a decrease of 39 people (−2.8%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and a decrease of 33 people (−2.4%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 624 males, 705 females, and 18 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 675 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.252300.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 9.6% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 51.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 69 people (5.1%) aged under 15 years, 291 (21.6%) aged 15 to 29, 552 (40.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 432 (32.0%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.7% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 6.4% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 1.3% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 11.3% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 3.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.4%, Māori by 2.2%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 22.0%. No language could be spoken by 0.7% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 32.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
Religious affiliations were 33.3% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 2.7% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.9% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.2% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.4% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.4% [[New Age]], 1.3% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]], and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 54.0%, and 5.6% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
Of those at least 15 years old, 756 (59.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 396 (30.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 132 (10.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $67,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 426 people (33.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 660 (51.5%) full-time, 168 (13.1%) part-time, and 24 (1.9%) unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.252300.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Oriental Bay (252300)}}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed" heights="120" caption=> File:N2 Oriental Bay.jpg|Beach at Oriental Bay File:OrientalBay.jpg|Oriental Bay as seen from the city at Queens Wharf File:CarterFountainPICT9619.jpg|[[Carter Fountain]] File:FireworksOrientalBay.jpg|Fireworks in Oriental Bay File:OParadeWGTN (1).jpg|Norfolk Pines along Oriental Parade, 2021. </gallery>
== External links== {{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y}} * [https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/811654 Oriental bay and Roseneath (aerial photo 1947)]
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Suburbs of Wellington City}}
[[Category:Suburbs of Wellington City]] [[Category:Populated places around the Wellington Harbour]] [[Category:Beaches of the Wellington Region]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Wellington City]] [[Category:Wellington Waterfront]]