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Lower Hutt (Māori: Awakairangi) is a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand. It covers an area of 380 km².
The city centres on the lower (southern) valley of the Hutt River, to the northeast of Wellington. The valley widens as the river nears its mouth, meaning that the central urban area of the city forms a triangle with its longest side along the shoreline. In the upper reaches of the city the twin ranges of the Western and Eastern Hutt Hills become closer, culminating in the Taita Gorge at the northern end of Lower Hutt, separating the city from neighbouring Upper Hutt.
Lower Hutt also includes the cluster of small settlements that extend down the eastern coast of Wellington Harbour. These include the two large townships of Wainuiomata (inland) and Eastbourne (on the coast). The city also includes a large area of sparsely-populated land to the east of the harbour, extending to Pencarrow Head and into the Rimutaka Ranges.
Lower Hutt includes the islands in Wellington Harbour, the largest of which, Matiu/Somes Island, is commonly referred to by its former name of Somes Island.
The Hutt River is one of the most significant features of the city, which occupies the lower regions of its flood plain. Modern occupation during the 20th century has led to the construction of stopbanks to contain the river, but the threat of flooding as the result of heavy rainfall persists. This threat came to pass in the flood of 1985: the river has burst its banks since then but the floods have been on a smaller scale. Smaller streams and storm-water drains have also caused occasional problems when rainfall persistently exceeds average levels.
Much of the land adjacent to the river is protected as reserve and provides a much-appreciated recreational feature, with walking tracks and grassed areas over approximately 10 km of river bank.
Original versions of our photos can be purchased & web versions can be shared subject to conditions.