Lower Hutt (Awakairangi)
Settlement Support Coordinator
Vesna West
Hutt City Council
30 Laings Rd
Lower Hutt
phone: 04 570 6786 or 04 589 3700
email: huttsettlement@huttcity.govt.nz
Visit the Settlement Support Lower Hutt website
Compare with another region
Lower Hutt is often seen as part of Wellington, but “The Hutt” is the tenth largest district in New Zealand by population with just over 100,000 people.
Lower Hutt is geographically distinct, sitting at the mouth of a large river plain which forms the northern end of Wellington Harbour.
Before European settlement the whole valley was a forest, other than some marshland near the river mouth, and a Māori pa (village) at each end of Petone beach.
The first British settlement in Wellington was established here close to the mouth of the Hutt River, but then moved to Thorndon where Parliament is today soon after the river flooded.
Lower Hutt is located next to the lower sections of the Hutt River - with its sister city Upper Hutt sited in the upper half.
Wellington is undoubtedly a key source of employment for Hutt residents as shown by daily ‘rush’ hours. However there is a good range of light industry in the Valley and several retail areas, each with their own character. The cities are connected by suburban rail.
Residents have good access to recreational facilities- sports grounds (outdoor and indoor), golf courses, the very large Belmont Regional park, boat ramps and moorings at Seaview, cinemas, shopping, Eastbourne and Days Bay beaches, the very well-regarded New Dowse art gallery and a growing café culture in Petone.
The government also provides support for newcomers to create their own local networks.
To find out more, visit the Newcomers Network.
The Newcomers Network is supported by Settling In, an initiative of Family and Community Services (Ministry of Social Development).
