Experience the Walk
The Wellington Writers Walk is set in one of the world’s loveliest urban land-and-seascapes. It combines a stroll along Wellington’s waterfront with the discovery of sculptural quotations from some of New Zealand’s best known writers. Like a series of intriguing pronouncements – often in surprising and unexpected places – the quotes take the form of contemporary concrete plaques and inlaid metal text on wooden ‘benchmarks’.
On any day, be it dark or dazzling, they lift the spirits and tie literature to landscape.
It’s always gratifying to be working on art that goes in around the waterfront, that’s interacted with by everybody – Wellingtonians and visitors to the city.
Max Uivel, Human Dynamo Workshop, manufacturers of the Ben Ngaia sculpture
Ben Ngaia sculpture, backlit at dusk
Photo: Kristine Zipfel
I love that my Wellington Writers Walk installation, perched on the edge of Wellington Harbour, celebrates my writing with a quote about my forebears arriving in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
Dame Fiona Kidman
I love the idea of the Wellington Writers Walk and feel honoured that a piece of my work is part of it.
Patricia Grace
Most of all, I love the fact that our words are out there where land meets ocean, dealing with everything the weather can throw at them.
Bill Manhire
Each quotation is a perspective on the city and invites you to meditate as you walk.
John McCrystal in AA Traveller
All action waterfront (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
It's the perfect self-tour for those with a taste for well-chosen words and phrases, and a passion for the capital city.
100% Pure New Zealand
Walking Tour for Wellington Heritage Week, 29 October 2020
The concept of the Walk is in perfect harmony with the special cultural character of this city.
Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Wellington Writers Walk Quotation Unveiling, 21 March 2013.
Along Wellington’s waterfront, the Writers Walk is a voyage of discovery.
TripAdvisor 2 December 2016
Great for children who can try and locate them as they walk along.
TripAdvisor 4 Oct 2016
Walking Tour for Wellington Heritage Week, 29 October 2020
Wellington Writers Walk is a celebrated highlight of the city … living monuments that celebrate our own voices.
Jenny Nagle, Chief Executive of New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc
A diverse, individualistic collection of works that all have their own personality … The physicality of the type in a sculptural form has great substance in our ephemeral world.
Judges comments, Terry Stringer Award at BEST Design Awards 2002, awarded to Catherine Griffiths for Stage One Writers Walk sculptures
