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Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov 2011: Fort Ballance was a coastal artillery battery constructed in the mid 1880′s to defend Wellington from a naval attack.
In the aftermath of the Crimean War- there was a real fear (the “Russian Scare”) that New Zealand might come under a naval attack from Russia, or another hostile power…
Coastal defence forts were built to protect New Zealand’s four main harbours in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
I’ve visited this site numerous times over the last few years (including today)- and always find something I’ve never noticed before…
Today the site is still largely intact, though heavilly grafittied- it’s Labyrinthian like maze of buildings and tunnels are always intriguing. As of the 1st November 2011, Fort Ballance is due to be part of the “Watts Peninsula Reserve”.
How this translates into a physical rejuvination is unclear- but hopefully it will restore Fort Ballance and the other historic defence sites on the Miramar Peninsula to their former glory…
For more information about this place check out the exellent “Capital Defence” website.
Seatoun, Wellington, October 2011: Fort Dorset battery was a former coastal artillery station, built to defend the entrance to Wellington Harbour from a possible naval attack. Construction began prior to the First World War- it was occupied and operational through both wars and up untill the mid 1950′s. The adjacent military camp was disbanded in the early 90′s. The remains of these historic structures have not been maintained and have fallen foul to vandalism and graffiti. The former military camp site was used for the set of “Bree” in the first Lord of the Rings film, “The Fellowship of the Ring”. Check out Capital Defence for detailed information on this site- also check out Simon Burrow’ site (in 2nd to last picture) for more images in and around Wellington.
Patea, Taranaki, NZ, December 2011: The Historic former Patea Hospital (c.1880) still stands in it’s dilapidated state, 22 years after its closure. When the hospital finally closed its doors on December the 5th 1990, it had served the Patea District for over century. Locals have been complaining for years about the eyesore, demanding the owner of the property to demolish the derelict and vandalised buildings.
Taranaki, New Zealand, December 2011: An old abandoned farmhouse near Pungarehu in Taranaki. This cottage has a lot of character- and an interesting history for sure…
