Mr Ward’s Map

A fascinating journey through Wellington’s history

In 1891, a remarkable map of Wellington was made by surveyor Thomas Ward. It recorded the footprint of every building, from Thorndon in the north and across the teeming, inner-city slums of Te Aro to Berhampore in the south.

Updated regularly over the next 10 years, it detailed hotels, theatres, oyster saloons, brothels, shops, stables, Parliament, the remnants of Māori kāinga, the Town Belt, the prisons, the ‘lunatic asylum’, the hospital and much more, in detail so particular that it went right down to the level of the street lights.

Luxuriously packaged with a cloth case and fold-out jacket, Mr Ward’s Map uses this giant map and historic images to tell marvellous stories about a vital capital city, its neighbourhoods and its people at the turn of the twentieth century. 

Bought the book and want the map for your home or office? Find out more here.

To look inside, click here. 

‘It’s my favourite book of the year’ — Mark Amery, RNZ

‘This book is utterly extraordinary! . . . Mr Ward’s Map is a treasure and an extraordinary labour of love by Thomas Ward, who created the original maps with intricate detail, and by author Elizabeth Cox, whose extensive research and well-crafted text make it a work of art. This is a book to enjoy now and to hand down to future generations.’ — Karen McMillan, NZ Booklovers

‘Handsome, impressive’ — Mark Broatch, NZ Listener 100 Best Books of 2025