Upper Hutt (Orongomai)
Settlement Support Coordinator
Upper Hutt
Cecilia Titulaer
Upper Hutt City Library,
844 Fergusson Drive,
Upper Hutt.
phone: 04 527 2132
email: settlement@uhcc.govt.nz
Visit the Upper Hutt Settlement Support website
Compare with another region
Upper Hutt is New Zealand's smallest city by population, but the third largest by land area, covering almost 54,000 hectares from Silverstream to the top of the Rimutaka Hill.
The first Maori in the area were Ngai Tara, but by the time European colonisation began the area had become part of Te Atiawa. Richard Barton was the first European to settle in Upper Hutt in 1841. After 125 years the region became a city in 1966.
The city itself is centred on the upper part of the Hutt River, which widens into a 2.5km wide flood plain before narrowing again at the Taita Gorge.
In the 1970’s to protect property from flooding a stop bank was begun, which now reaches 20km all the way to the river mouth at Petone.
Many Upper Hutt residents commute to Wellington for work, but there are also significant employers in the city district including agriculture, biosecurity, data, defence, and pharmaceuticals.
Daytime electric rail connects both Upper and Lower Hutt to Wellington City but many commuters also use cars. Beyond Upper Hutt the line continues through the Rimutaka Ranges to the Wairarapa. This track uses the second-longest railway tunnel in the country.
A population of almost 40,000 enjoy the area’s extensive parks, bush and river trails which offer walks, mountain biking, trout fishing, tramping and hunting.
Other activities include, cricket, netball, rugby, league, football, golf, disc golf, speedway, horse racing and - unusually for New Zealand - Valley Gridiron American football.
Upper Hutt is also home to the biggest junior football club in New Zealand, and to one of the most challenging of all mountain biking events, the annual Karapoti Classic.
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).
