Island Bay, New Zealand

Tapu te Ranga Island is said to be Patawa, a point from which the legendary Māori chief Kupe sighted the giant octopus Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, which he pursued across Cook Strait.[6] In pre-European times, Island Bay was home to several pa, including Te Mupunga Kainga, today represented with a pou in Shorland Park.[7] A succession of iwi occupied Island Bay, including Ngai Tara, Ngati Ira.

A famous battle which took place on the beach of Island Bay has been well documented by Elsdon Best.[8] A raiding taua (war party) from Muau-poko were making their way to the Ngai Tara stronghold of Te Whetu-Kairangi, a fortified pa on what is now Miramar peninsular (but was then an island). In the morning, Ngai Tara warriors came down from Uruhau fort (modern day Southgate) and engaged Muau-poko in battle on the beach. Two muaupoko chiefs were killed, and later cremated in Haewai (Houghton Bay).[8] This battle is commemorated with a pou on the zig-zag leading from Liffey street to Orchy crescent.[9]

During a battle in which Ngati Mutunga drove Ngati Ira from Wellington in 1827, Tamairangi, the wife of the Ngati Ira chief, is said to have sought refuge on Tapu te Ranga Island with her children, fleeing by canoe when Tapu te Ranga Island was besieged.[10] In Treaty of Waitangi settlements, both Te Atiawa and Ngati Toa have claimed tangata whenua status over Tapu te Ranga Island. Ngati Toas case was proven in the Māori Land Court[11]

Island Bay beach, date unknown

In the early days of European settlement George Hunter was the chief proprietor of the Island Bay Estate, where he bred stock on his stud farm. The Island Bay portion was subdivided and auctioned in March 1879.[12] In the late 19th century, Island Bay was settled by Italian and Shetlander fishermen. In 1905, Wellington's tramline was extended to Island Bay, increasing the area's popularity, and steadily transforming it into a seaside suburb. Many Island Bay villas, bungalows and shops date from the 1920s, a period of rapid development for the area.[13] This included the subdivision of the Island Bay Racecourse which was once bounded by Clyde Street on the East and Ribble Street on the West. Many streets in Island Bay were named after British and European rivers.

Blessing of the Boats ceremony during the 2012 Island Bay Festival

Shorland Park band rotunda during the 2012 Island Bay Festival

The annual Island Bay Festival takes place over eight days each February. It include:

• The Blessing of the Boats. The Blessing of the Boats is a southern Italian tradition where boats are decorated with flags and blessed by a priest to protect the crew from the sea and to bring good fortune. The ceremony has been adopted in Island Bay since 1933, when the fishing boat Santina foundered in Cook Strait, with the loss of four crew including three Italians. A chair was unveiled on 13 February 2011, during the Island Bay Festival for the crew of the Santina, presented by friends and family of the four casualties.[21]

• The Ribble Street Races: A Soapbox derby down the steep Ribble Street attracts budding racecar drivers with Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Expert categories, the latter often reaching 65 km/h.

• The Island Bay Raft Race: The inaugural raft race was in 2020, with DIY rafts and family teams paddling parallel to the beach, the Lyall Bay Surf club provided support and rescue services on the day.

• The swim to/from the Island: Participants are ferried by boat to the Island, and swim the few hundred metres back to shore, a 'there and back' race is held also.

• The Festival Parade: Proceeding down The Parade to Shorland Park, the Festival Parade features a colourful 'dressing of the bicycles' competition.

• The Teddy Bears Picnic: On the final Sunday of the festival the younger members of the community bring their Teddy Bears for a special picnic in Shorland Park.[22]

• Rita Angus, artist

While living in Wellington in the 1960s, Rita Angus painted a number of scenes in Island Bay. Boats, Island Bay is one of her best-loved paintings.[23][24]

• Empire Cinema, film

The art deco Empire Theatre screened films between 1925 and 1964. It reopened as the Empire Cinema in 2005.[25]

• Laura Garland, artist

Laura Garland lives in Island Bay, and paints colourful Wellington and New Zealand scenes.

• Michael McCormack, artist

Michael McCormack is an Irish-born painter who works from his studio and gallery in Island Bay, painting vivid streetscapes and coastal scenes around Wellington.

• Music

Rock frontmen Andrew Fagan of the Mockers and Jon Toogood of Shihad grew up in Island Bay. Samuel Flynn Scott, Conrad Wedde of New Zealand group The Phoenix Foundation also live in the suburb.

• Literature

Children's authors Fleur Beale, Suzanne Main[26] and Brigid Feehan[27] all live in Island Bay.

• Red Mole, theatre

Alan Brunton and Sally Rodwell of the Red Mole experimental theatre group, were based in Island Bay from 1988 until Brunton's death in 2002.[28]

• Chris Visser-Fee, comedian, was raised, and continues to live in Island Bay, where he regularly performs comedic routines, many known for their slapstick appeal.

• Freya Elkink, artist, resides in Island Bay. Her art form mostly composes of artistic impressionism, placing popular Wellington faces into less than likely situations.

Island Bay School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[29][30] with a roll of as of March 2020.[31]

St Francis De Sales School is a co-educational state-integrated Catholic primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[32][33] with a roll of 259.[34]

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  Blessing of the Boats event during the 2012 Island Bay Festival
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  The band rotunda in Shorland Park during the 2012 Island Bay Festival
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  Empty craypots on Island Bay foreshore; Tapu Te Ranga Motu in background
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  Walking the dog on the beach at Island Bay; Interislander ferry and Tapu Te Ranga Island in background
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  Welcome sign on The Esplanade, Island Bay
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  Fishing boats in Island Bay
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  Sunset over Red Rocks, West of Island Bay
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  Aurora Australis from Wellington's South Coast