About Us

Tena koutou katoa, welcome to Eye of the Fish. This is a blog that was created to continue the legacy of Tom Beard’s superb WellUrban.

Our aim is to further discourse on Wellington’s urban environment, as well to as report on the other aspects of life in the capital.

What’s in a name?

Slightly cryptic, Eye of the Fish refers to Wellington’s location on Te Ika-a-Maui, the Fish of Maui. We wanted a name that was unique and memorable, with a deep-seated connection to our city. In addition to the history, the name can be read as having a few more contemporary references that represent some our scope and interests. The south end of the North Island is the head of the Fish and Wellington’s great harbour is the Eye. We too are an Eye onto this great city of ours, taking a wide angle look at the buildings and issues that surround us.

“his bait was his nose; he punched it, the blood ran down, and he smeared it on the jawbone of his grandparent Muri-ranga-whenua. By the time the jawbone reached the bottom, his fish had bitten on it. Then the canoe was lifted up and its bow was pushed down. His elder brothers cried out in fear! Then his fish came to the surface” That fish continues to lie here as land.

Attributed to Mohi Ruatapu, a Ngati Porou tohunga. Written ~1870