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WCC, Town Planning Department's Zoning Scheme maps
Descriptive Data
Archives Identifier00247Date Range1945-1946DescriptionThis series of planning maps was prepared for submission to the Government's Town Planning Board, drawing on work that had been ongoing since the early 1930's.
The Town Planning Act (1926) required local authorities to prepare town planning schemes before or by the 1st January 1930 (this was later extended to 1936). Schemes had to be approved by a Government Town Planning Board. The Act outlined what information had to be included in a scheme (for example zoning information relating to streets, buildings, reserves etc). There were also published requirements as to the scale and dimensions of town planning maps, which included:
· Map scale was required to be not less than 5 chains to 1 inch or more than 4 chains to 1 inch
· Maps should only show buildings of a permanent character (government, civic or buildings of historical or special character)
These maps were prepared as a result of growing pressure on Wellington City Council to produce and adopt an official town plan and zoning scheme for the whole city area, with a focus on zoning for use, height and interior roading development. They were approved by the Council for submission to the Town Planning Board but it does not appear that the plan was ever finally approved by the Board or formally brought into operation by the Council.
There are 24 sheets, covering maps 1-25 and the index (maps 9 and 15 are on the same sheet, as are maps 16 and 12). The maps are annotated on Government Survey Department maps (4 chains to an inch). The index sheet (10 chains to an inch) is a 1934 map. They are printed in colour, with different colours representing the various zones.
The definitions of the zones depicted are:
- Special Residential and A Residential: Principally for single family dwellings, but two-unit residential buildings will be permitted, provided the section has adequate frontage and area.
- Residential B provide for both single and family dwellings and blocks of flats.
- Residential C and D provide for larges blocks of flats but single family dwellings are not excluded.
- Local Commercial Districts Not final. As demand for local shopping facilities increases additional centres will be zoned. Both dwellings and flats are permitted in these districts.
Special Open Spaces: Proposed for special uses such as waterworks reserves, cemeteries, existing and proposed airport, observatory site and signal station site (Mt Victoria).
Public Open Space: Except for approximately half an acre this land is all owned or controlled by the Corporation.
The maps can be accessed using the index map in this series, or by searching on the suburban areas (or parts of) covered by each map which are recorded for each item.Quantity (Linear Metres)2MediumPlanSystem of ArrangementNumerical order, plus index sheetCollection TypeWellington City Council
The Town Planning Act (1926) required local authorities to prepare town planning schemes before or by the 1st January 1930 (this was later extended to 1936). Schemes had to be approved by a Government Town Planning Board. The Act outlined what information had to be included in a scheme (for example zoning information relating to streets, buildings, reserves etc). There were also published requirements as to the scale and dimensions of town planning maps, which included:
· Map scale was required to be not less than 5 chains to 1 inch or more than 4 chains to 1 inch
· Maps should only show buildings of a permanent character (government, civic or buildings of historical or special character)
These maps were prepared as a result of growing pressure on Wellington City Council to produce and adopt an official town plan and zoning scheme for the whole city area, with a focus on zoning for use, height and interior roading development. They were approved by the Council for submission to the Town Planning Board but it does not appear that the plan was ever finally approved by the Board or formally brought into operation by the Council.
There are 24 sheets, covering maps 1-25 and the index (maps 9 and 15 are on the same sheet, as are maps 16 and 12). The maps are annotated on Government Survey Department maps (4 chains to an inch). The index sheet (10 chains to an inch) is a 1934 map. They are printed in colour, with different colours representing the various zones.
The definitions of the zones depicted are:
- Special Residential and A Residential: Principally for single family dwellings, but two-unit residential buildings will be permitted, provided the section has adequate frontage and area.
- Residential B provide for both single and family dwellings and blocks of flats.
- Residential C and D provide for larges blocks of flats but single family dwellings are not excluded.
- Local Commercial Districts Not final. As demand for local shopping facilities increases additional centres will be zoned. Both dwellings and flats are permitted in these districts.
Special Open Spaces: Proposed for special uses such as waterworks reserves, cemeteries, existing and proposed airport, observatory site and signal station site (Mt Victoria).
Public Open Space: Except for approximately half an acre this land is all owned or controlled by the Corporation.
The maps can be accessed using the index map in this series, or by searching on the suburban areas (or parts of) covered by each map which are recorded for each item.Quantity (Linear Metres)2MediumPlanSystem of ArrangementNumerical order, plus index sheetCollection TypeWellington City Council
Access Information
Restriction StatusOpen
Related Agencies
Controlling or Creating AgencyTown Planning DepartmentRelationship Date Range1968-1991
WCC, Town Planning Department's Zoning Scheme maps. Archives Online, accessed 06/04/2026, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/1741








