Paekākāriki Hill Road
The Paekākāriki Hill Road was built to pacify Wellington region after the Hutt Valley War of 1845-6.
British Army engineers with Māori road-building gangs completed the road in November 1849, linking Wellington and Porirua with the beach road to Whanganui. Māori produce, mail, livestock, and settlers used Paekākāriki and its hotel as a resting point for travellers and horses. From 1866 a scheduled mail coach service operated until the railway opened in 1886.
Paekākāriki Hill remained the main highway north until 1939, when Centennial Highway eliminated the arduous and often dangerous climb.
'Bell’ Company sightseeing bus on the summit of Paekākāriki Hill Road, view northwards ca 1920. Just Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: 71442 ½
A heavily laden Ford model T truck making the ascent up Paekākāriki Hill Road, and the view norwards in 1924. SC Smith Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: 47388 1/2
![A heavily laden Ford model T truck making the ascent up Paekākāriki Hill Road, and the view norwards in 1924. SC Smith Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: 47388 1/2]()
Paekākāriki Hill Road looking towards the south
![Paekākāriki Hill Road looking towards the south]()
Reconstruction of Paekākāriki Hill Road 1923
![Reconstruction of Paekākāriki Hill Road 1923]()
A heavily laden Ford model T truck making the ascent up Paekākāriki Hill Road, and the view norwards in 1924. SC Smith Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: 47388 1/2
Paekākāriki Hill Road looking towards the south
Reconstruction of Paekākāriki Hill Road 1923
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