Why is Post Office Square called that? Who was Paddy the Wanderer? What lies behind the Pacific Jewellers shop on Lambton Quay? Long-time residents of Wellington may well know the answers to these questions, but many won’t. And visitors to our city certainly do not. There are stories behind every one of these seemingly simple questions, as indeed there are behind many of the sights and buildings in Wellington.

‘Walk Wellington’ is an organisation that takes people, visitors especially, behind the scenes. Walk Wellington was founded nearly twenty years ago and today is a not-for-profit organisation that leads walks through Wellington nearly every day of the year, rain or shine (or gale). Only at Easter and on Christmas Day are no walks offered.

The core offering, “Essential Wellington”, starts at the bottom of Cuba Street at 10am, goes through Civic Square, along the waterfront, doubles back to the Old Bank Arcade and then follows Lambton Quay, up through the Parliament House grounds, ending at Old St Paul’s Cathedral (although that is currently closed for earthquake-strengthening). The walk takes between 2 and 2½ hours, depending on the loquacity of the guide. Over the summer months (December to March) a shorter tour (about 1½ hours) is also offered three times a week, starting at 5.00pm. This starts at the same place, but heads more directly to the Old Bank Arcade, before heading to and along the waterfront, concluding in Courtenay Place, just in time for a pre-dinner drink.

Most of those who come along for the Walk Wellington experience are visitors from overseas, although there on occasion a small number from elsewhere in New Zealand. Most are independent travellers; relatively few cruise ship passengers seem to be attracted by the prospect of a couple of hours’ exercise. These overseas visitors come from a wide variety of countries, although, perhaps not surprisingly, the most numerous source countries are Australia, the US and the UK. Beyond that, Europeans outnumber those from Latin America or Asia.

While the walks can be pre-booked, the more usual practice is for prospective walkers simply to turn up at the start of the walk, hopefully having already paid for the walk at the i-Site. Some days there are no walkers, while on other days there can be 25 or even more. Most often, however, the numbers are ten or fewer. A group of that size can usually be kept reasonably together and will be able to hear what the guide has to say.

The walks seem to be very much appreciated. Currently, over 2,200 come along every year, and Walk Wellington has been consistently rated by Trip Advisor as one of the top three things to do or see in Wellington. It is, of course, an affordable activity, costing just $20 for adults (children are free). As a not-for-profit organisation, Walk Wellington donates any financial surpluses to local organisations; the Free Ambulance, the Wellington Sculpture Trust, Old St Paul’s, Friends of the Botanic Gardens and the Mary Potter Hospice have been among the beneficiaries in the past year.

All the guides are volunteers (there are around 25-30 of them), the great majority retired people, and each leads a walk two to three times a month. All have a love for and knowledge of Wellington, and are pleased to be able to have the opportunity to show off our city to visitors. All the guides have their own, individual, approach. While there are of course common elements that are covered in their commentaries, each brings their own experience and knowledge to bear. All have particular stories to tell, sometimes focusing on events in their own histories, and sometimes relating those learnt from others.

None of the guides have any problems filling in the time; all are constantly learning more about Wellington, and the challenge is to know what to leave out. The reality is that most of us, when we have new information pushed at us in situations such as on these walks, remember afterwards no more than three to five facts. Guides have to bear in mind that there is a limit as to how much information people can actually absorb. I can remember going on a city walk in Singapore some years ago, but after nearly four hours in over 30 degrees heat (and no toilet stop!) abandoning the rest of the scheduled walk. I had reached the end of my stamina. It’s important too to bear in mind the needs of those who are not native English speakers, checking from time to time that they are understanding the commentary.

It’s very rare for there to be a “difficult” participant; most appreciate what the guides have to offer. And for the guides’ part, what they perhaps enjoy the most is both to have the opportunity to engage with visitors to our city and country, but also to be able to try to respond to any questions that they might have. The guides know their spiel; it’s much more interesting – and, sometimes, challenging – to provide answers on topics that are perhaps not so immediately related to the immediate sights of the city.

It’s not a bad occasional activity for those among the active-retired.

— John Larkindale, Bay View newsletter 74, November 2019