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, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place form what is known locally as the Golden Mile.[8] The city's retail trade has spread further south to also include 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 length of Lambton Quay is punctuated by several notable sculptures.[13]
History
Dense bush, down to the harbour's edge, covered much of the area until 1840 and, at the site of the Old Bank Arcade, it could be hard to get round the rocks at high tide at what was then Windy Point, or Clay Point.[15][16] The Point was dug away between 1857 and 1863[17] to reclaim 7 acres 3 roods 34 perches (almost 8 acres (3.2 ha)).[18]
^Holmes, William Howard; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Lambton Quay, 1856". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
^Holmes, William Howard; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Lambton Quay, 1856". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 January 2021.