Situated on the shores of Wellington’s ever-changing harbour, the Petone Settlers Museum occupies one of New Zealand’s most significant memorial buildings – the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial. The memorial was built to commemorate the arrival of the first British immigrants on Pito-one’s shores in 1840. Serving also as a bathing pavilion, the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial was officially opened on 22 January 1940 and became the heart of Petone’s thriving beach scene.
To mark the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial, the Petone Settlers Museum has recently been refurbished. A new exhibition, Tatou Tatou celebrates the history of the local area with a contemporary visitor experience.
Image – Eva and Ina Drummond at Petone Beach, c1918. Photo: Charles Adshead. Collection of Petone Settlers Museum