New Zealand's Capital city lies within the earthquake-generating collision zone between two of the Earth's great tectonic plates, and sits on top of one of the zone's most active geological faults - the Wellington Fault. The Wellington Fault forms distinctive landscape features running right through the central city. Intensive research has been done to understand the nature of the fault and the best ways to reduce possible earthquake damage and loss.
About Quakes
Wellington Fault Fly-by
The Wellington Fault runs the length of the North Island from Cook Strait to the Bay of Plenty. It has created major landscape features. Take a birds-eye flight with our Fly-by along the fault from Wellington to Upper Hutt.
Wellington fault documentary
This documentary takes you on a tour of many of the highlights of the Wellington Fault. It describes how the fault can be observed at many locations around the Wellington region and what effect it has had on the surrounding landscape.
Virtual tour of Wellington fault
The Wellington Fault can be seen close-up in a variety of settings from built up areas to river banks and parks. Find out the best sites to visit, with descriptions of what you will see there.
Fault finding tour guide
Download this brochure to help you navigate Wellington's best "fault-finding" sites. Concise descriptions and locations with vital background information. (670kb pdf)
Field trip lesson plan
Teachers can use this hands-on guide to organise a school field trip to Upper Hutt. It includes a practical measuring activity which enhances understanding of the interaction between river erosion and fault movement. Download the lesson plan here.
Photo Gallery
Check out some photographs of the Wellington Fault complete with informative captions. How close are you to the active fault that cuts through our Harbour City?
Any information in these pages about the Wellington Fault is for general educational purposes only and is not in any way a substitute for site specific investigations or engineering reports. In some areas the location of the fault is uncertain.
