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WCC, Survey Branch Wellington City Record Sheets
Descriptive Data
Archives Identifier00065Date Range1971-1973DescriptionThis series is a map covering the area administered by the Wellington City Council made up of a number of sheets drawn at a scale of 40 feet to the inch (1:480). It was used as an in-house reference tool to manage underground services such as storm water and drainage, support the building permit application process, identify town planning issues, and various other purposes. The maps date from 1973; when the system was converted from imperial to metric scale, this set was put into storage and stopped being used.
A detailed map of Wellington City was first developed in the late 1880s, when Surveyor Thomas Ward was contracted to the Council to produce a survey map for the City (See Series 00500). This became a standard map used by the Council. Additional sheets were drawn up as additional areas amalgamated with Wellington, and the map grew in coverage. As individual sheets became worn or illegible, new sheets were drawn up to replace them.
In the 1920s the maps were redrawn using a new grid-based indexing system, devised by the City Council and based on the Mt Cook trig. This index system was used through to the early 1990s, when the national NZ Map Grid standardised grid mapping index system was adopted.
By the late 1960s the map consisted of around 600 separate sheets. A master set of tracings on linen was held which was used to prepare copies held by various Council Branches (including Waterworks, Drainage, Town Planning). Due to extensive wear and ongoing alterations and annotations a large number of the sheets were disintegrating with age and use, and virtually all the sheets needed to be replaced. A number of other problems were identified with the sheets. The linen sheets used became differentially stretched over time due to temperature and humidity, meaning it was not always possible to accurately plot additional information precisely. Errors accumulated where re-subdivision took place or where there was difficult topography due to errors in housing pick-up and plotting. There was also a constant staff shortage as the time consuming work involved in keeping pace with property development or re-development was not always maintained.
A decision was made in 1971 to begin using aerial photographs in conjunction with the footprint map. Aerials would be used as a basis to redraw the whole existing map onto more durable material. Because of the amount of work involved it was planned to carry out the work over a four year period. Work redrawing the maps began in September 1971 once the first aerial photographs were available. A master map was created and maintained by the Survey Department, with copies provided to other departments. Redrawing the maps was completed by late 1973, following the completion of the first run of aerial photography.
Shortly after this it was decided to convert the set of maps from imperial to metric scale, to coincide with the first run of aerial photography done at a metric scale. Both would be produced at a scale of 1:500, so they could be used together. The existing redrawn maps were photographed, the photographic transparencies then being used to produce a new set of maps. The old imperial set was put into storage, where it remained before being processed at Archives.
The map provides a wide range of information:
• Property sections with lot and deposited plan numbers, boundary dimensions, and street addresses
• Building footprints, and verandahs where present
• Street names, and names of reserves, bays, and other land features
• The location of public storm water and drainage pipes and manholes. Sometimes gives pipe dimensions, and references to stormwater and drainage plans.
• The location of private stormwater and drainage pipes connecting from buildings to public mains. Details location of toilets, gully traps, Buchan traps and terminal vents.
Each sheet can be searched by using the unique plan reference number, as well as by street (or if marked other features) on that particular sheet. As well as searching by street name to find maps the index map can be used to identify a specific plan.Quantity (Linear Metres)0MediumPlanSystem of ArrangementOriginal sheets are indexed by grid system based on Mt Cook Trig Station. Top numbered across the two cabinets they are in.Collection TypeWellington City Council
A detailed map of Wellington City was first developed in the late 1880s, when Surveyor Thomas Ward was contracted to the Council to produce a survey map for the City (See Series 00500). This became a standard map used by the Council. Additional sheets were drawn up as additional areas amalgamated with Wellington, and the map grew in coverage. As individual sheets became worn or illegible, new sheets were drawn up to replace them.
In the 1920s the maps were redrawn using a new grid-based indexing system, devised by the City Council and based on the Mt Cook trig. This index system was used through to the early 1990s, when the national NZ Map Grid standardised grid mapping index system was adopted.
By the late 1960s the map consisted of around 600 separate sheets. A master set of tracings on linen was held which was used to prepare copies held by various Council Branches (including Waterworks, Drainage, Town Planning). Due to extensive wear and ongoing alterations and annotations a large number of the sheets were disintegrating with age and use, and virtually all the sheets needed to be replaced. A number of other problems were identified with the sheets. The linen sheets used became differentially stretched over time due to temperature and humidity, meaning it was not always possible to accurately plot additional information precisely. Errors accumulated where re-subdivision took place or where there was difficult topography due to errors in housing pick-up and plotting. There was also a constant staff shortage as the time consuming work involved in keeping pace with property development or re-development was not always maintained.
A decision was made in 1971 to begin using aerial photographs in conjunction with the footprint map. Aerials would be used as a basis to redraw the whole existing map onto more durable material. Because of the amount of work involved it was planned to carry out the work over a four year period. Work redrawing the maps began in September 1971 once the first aerial photographs were available. A master map was created and maintained by the Survey Department, with copies provided to other departments. Redrawing the maps was completed by late 1973, following the completion of the first run of aerial photography.
Shortly after this it was decided to convert the set of maps from imperial to metric scale, to coincide with the first run of aerial photography done at a metric scale. Both would be produced at a scale of 1:500, so they could be used together. The existing redrawn maps were photographed, the photographic transparencies then being used to produce a new set of maps. The old imperial set was put into storage, where it remained before being processed at Archives.
The map provides a wide range of information:
• Property sections with lot and deposited plan numbers, boundary dimensions, and street addresses
• Building footprints, and verandahs where present
• Street names, and names of reserves, bays, and other land features
• The location of public storm water and drainage pipes and manholes. Sometimes gives pipe dimensions, and references to stormwater and drainage plans.
• The location of private stormwater and drainage pipes connecting from buildings to public mains. Details location of toilets, gully traps, Buchan traps and terminal vents.
Each sheet can be searched by using the unique plan reference number, as well as by street (or if marked other features) on that particular sheet. As well as searching by street name to find maps the index map can be used to identify a specific plan.Quantity (Linear Metres)0MediumPlanSystem of ArrangementOriginal sheets are indexed by grid system based on Mt Cook Trig Station. Top numbered across the two cabinets they are in.Collection TypeWellington City Council
Access Information
Restriction StatusOpen
Related Agencies
Controlling or Creating AgencySurvey BranchRelationship Date Range1988-1991
Related Series
WCC, Survey Branch Wellington City Record Sheets. Archives Online, accessed 18/08/2026, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/1568