Jackson Street Programme
Petone, originally known as Pito One, marks the birthplace of New Zealand’s European settlement, with the first organised arrival of British settlers in 1840. It was the site of New Zealand’s first planned settlement and the signing of a significant land agreement between the New Zealand Company and Māori Chief Te Puni.
Petone, originally known as Pito One, holds a pivotal place in New Zealand’s history as the site of the first European settlement. In 1839, the New Zealand Company arrived, led by Colonel William Wakefield, and negotiated land agreements with Māori Chief Te Puni. The first planned settlement, named Britannia, was established in 1840, but flooding led most settlers to relocate across the harbour. Over the following decades, Petone developed into a thriving industrial hub, with major factories and workshops shaping the town’s economy throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
By the late 20th century, however, Petone’s economy declined as industrial sites closed. In 1989, the town merged with Lower Hutt City, but local efforts in the early 1990s, spearheaded by community leaders like Roy Hewson, revitalised the area. The Jackson Street Programme (JSP) was launched to restore Petone’s historic charm and foster local businesses, leading to renewed economic growth. Today, Petone blends its rich heritage with vibrant small businesses, particularly along Jackson Street, attracting tourists and contributing to the area’s resurgence.
Jackson Street was not originally intended to be Petone’s main street: Nelson Street, known in the late 1800’s as Petone Avenue, was the main business street. However, its north-south axis was not suitable for a number of reasons including the prevailing winds!
What began to develop was an east-west access…
Petone is known as “The Cradle of Champions”, a phrase first coined by Sir Thomas Wilford, MP for Hutt (1889-1929). To explain the story of the greatness of New Zealand on the fields of sport by Petone citizens – a remarkable achievement that Petone possesses – you need to know why sport has been an important part of Petone life since 1870…
Apart from Petone being the first organised European settlement in NZ, we’re also the home to other NZ firsts…
• First police officers – 3 men were appointed as Police as soon as they disembarked from the ship ‘Aurora’
• First newspaper – “The New Zealand Gazette” was published on 18 April 1840
• First bank – the Union Bank of Australia opened May 1840…
