Dominion Observatory and the Kowhai Walk - New Zealand's Greenwich

Historically, this is one of New Zealand's most important scientific sites. This fascinating place can be explored by taking the Kowhai Walk which starts near the top of the Cable Car.
It is populated by a number of observatories and would be a fitting place for a statue of Sir James Hector who played a major role in establishing them.
The Dominion Observatory was built to accurately determine New Zealand time by reference to the sun and stars. The past associations with time-keeping, astronomy and maritime navigation make it New Zealand’s closest equivalent to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. Worthy of note is that in 1868 New Zealand becamethe first country to introduce standard time.
Upstairs in the tower is the office of Mapsmiths Geographyx. They work in all forms of mapping including 3D and digital.
The Observatory building was designed by Government Architect John Campbell in the Edwardian Baroque style in 1907, having been displaced from the the prominent site of the first colonial Observatory by the Seddon Memorial.

There are other observatories here which collectively, have played a key role in the history of New Zealand astronomy. They include the Carter Observatory the National Observatory of New Zealand. Another nearby scientific Institution is the Meteorological Office.

Also on the site is one of New Zealand's Russian Scare era gun emplacements, dating to 1896. A network of these defense stations is spread around the country's coastline. Seldom open to the public, the underground facility here is comprised of the gun emplacement, an observation point, powder store, shell store, cartridge store, and loading pit.
From 1930 to 1995, seismographs were installed underground here .What is now the Lawson Scout Hall was built to be the gunners accommodation.

The Krupp Gun now on display was used by the Germans in the First World War, captured in France and brought to New Zealand as a trophy

The audio guide will take you on the Kowhai walk which starts near theCable Car top station.

Voiceover Credit: Koenraad Kuiper