Hutt ValleyLocations directory
A unique 19th-century American-style military timber blockhouse in Upper Hutt. Built in 1861, the Blockhouse is a unique 19th-century American-style military timber blockhouse.

A unique 19th-century American-style military timber blockhouse in Upper Hutt.

Located in Trentham, Upper Hutt, the Blockhouse was one of several defence buildings in the area. It was built in 1861 due to a perceived threat of Māori attack on Pākehā settlers. An attack that never came.

The American-style military fortification is a rare, surviving example of this style of defensive building in New Zealand.

Colonel Thomas Mould designed the building. The Hutt Battalion of the Wellington Militia occupied it briefly. The two-storey structure is made from timber with shingle infill, to protect it from rifle fire. Loopholes allowed defenders to return fire.

Windows were a later addition, along with metal gratings over the loopholes. The building now also has electric power, security lights, a fire alarm, and a sprinkler system.

Declared a historic building in 1916, Heritage New Zealand managed the building, which is open to the public.

Free on-street parking is on McHardie Street, with bus parking on Fergusson Drive. There is also an accessible drop-off and pick-up point next to the Blockhouse. Heretaunga College shares on-site parking, potentially causing some limitations during school hours.

Location details

Jurisdiction Upper Hutt City Council
Permits required Private location, contact Screen Wellington
Location descriptors Desolate, historic, houses, wooden, halls, historical buildings, landmarks, monuments, military, wooden buildings.
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The screen location of Tākina, the large convention centre with unique designs and large open industrial feeling spaces.

Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre

50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington | 71Inspired by the city’s dramatic landscape and environment, Wellington’s purpose-built convention centre is a blank canvas for filming.

The screen location of West Wind Farm and Mākara Bunker at sunset, with 360 views of Wellington and the wind farm, as well as the historic fort Opau.

West Wind Farm and Mākara Bunker

140 Opau Road, Mākara, Wellington | 41This rugged ridge above Wellington provides spectacular views and access to a unique wind farm and the historic Fort Opau.

The Brooklyn Wind Turbine sits on a hill above Wellington, with views of the city. Bush and trees surround the area.

Brooklyn Wind Turbine

6012 Owhiro Bay Parade, Wellington | 42Iconic 67-metre wind turbine landmark with panoramic city views and bush tracks.

Exterior of Wellington Railway Station, a brick building, at dusk.

Wellington Railway Station

Bunny Street, Pipitea, Wellington | 61The Wellington Railway Station is one of the country’s most architecturally impressive 20th-century buildings, inspired by Penn Station in New York.

Ava railway bridge crossing over Hutt River

Ava Train Bridge

Randwick Crescent, Moera, Lower Hutt | 62Part of the Hutt Valley line, Ava Train Bridge is a combined rail and footbridge, which provides views up and down the river.

Maymorn train station

Maymorn Train Station

Maymorn Road, Maymorn, Upper Hutt | 63Maymorn Train Station is a rural train station near the base of the Remutaka Range. It is a twin-platform, rural request stop.

Established in 1919, The Milk Station Ōtaki on the Kāpiti Coast has been thoughtfully restored and now serves as an elegant event venue.

The Milk Station, Ōtaki

35 Rahui Road, Ōtaki | 50With indoor and outdoor spaces, The Milk Station on the Kāpiti Coast is a popular and elegant venue off the beaten track.

The Wrights Hill Fortress screen location, located in Karori overlooking Wellington from an old gun emplacement. The location includes historic monuments, underground landmarks, and tunnels.

Wrights Hill Fortress — gun emplacement

Wrights Hill Road, Karori, Wellington | 64Wrights Hill Fortress in Karori is a mostly underground fortress built in the 1940s, during the Second World War to protect Wellington.

The Holy Trinity Church is a good example of a rural mid-to late-19th-century New Zealand church. Built in 1870, it is a small, rural church in Ohariu Valley in Johnsonville, Wellington. It has a small graveyard associated with it.

Holy Trinity Church

638 Ohariu Valley Road, Ohariu, Wellington | 69Holy Trinity Church in Ohariu, Wellington is a good example of a rural mid-to late-19th-century New Zealand church.

Futuna Chapel is an architecturally award-winning chapel showcasing Māori and Pākehā influences. Located in Karori, Wellington, it is one of the country’s most striking examples of 1960s architecture.

Futuna Chapel

67 Futuna Close, Karori, Wellington | 70Futuna Chapel in the Wellington suburb of Karori is an architecturally award-winning chapel showcasing Māori and Pākehā influences.