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In the last Public History Talk for 2025, historian Elizabeth Cox will speak about her new book Mr Ward’s Map: Victorian Wellington Street by Street.📅 Wednesday 3 December 2025, 12:10pm to 1pm
📍Auditorium (Taiwhanga Kauhau), lower ground floor, National Library Building, corner Molesworth + Aitken Streets, Thorndon, Wellington and online.
A fascinating journey through Wellington’s past
In 1891, a remarkable map of Wellington was made by surveyor Thomas Ward. It recorded the footprint of every building, from Thorndon in the north, across the teeming, inner-city slums of Te Aro, to Berhampore in the south.
Updated regularly over the next 10 years, it detailed hotels, theatres, oyster saloons, brothels, shops, stables, Parliament, Māori kāinga, the Town Belt, the prisons, the ‘lunatic asylum’, and the hospital. The map is incredibly detailed — it even includes the location of street lights.
About the speaker
Elizabeth Cox is a Wellington historian who specialises in New Zealand’s social and architectural history. Her previous book, Making Space: A history of New Zealand women in architecture, was published in 2022.
These free Public History Talks are a collaboration between Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa The National Library of New Zealand and Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
🎧 The talks are recorded and you can find them at the Apple store, Spotify and Podbean #newzealandhistory.
🔗 Register for a Zoom link: https://dia-nz.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lKZ5Kxg4TvSr8t8UffUNLA#/registration
👣 There is no need to RSVP for the in-person event but please arrive early to ensure a prompt start. We can't wait to see you there!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
National Library of New Zealand, Corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon,Wellington, New Zealand
Tickets
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