Dixon Street is a street in the Wellington, New Zealand, suburb of Te Aro. It runs from The Terrace in the west to Taranaki Street in the east. Notable streets that intersect it include Willis Street and Cuba Street, the Cuba Street rainbow crossing being in Dixon Street. Dixon Street is split into two sections, separated by a staircase near Willis Street, as the land there is too steep for vehicles.
Location Dixon Street is located in the inner-city suburb of Te Aro. The street runs from The Terrace in the west to Taranaki Street in the east. There are two sections of Dixon Street, connected by steps known as the Dixon Street Steps, near Willis Street. The sections are split apart as the land inbetween is too steep for vehicles. Cuba Street and Willis Street intersect Dixon Street.
History In Wellington's original city plan, the street was spelt Dickson. Despite this, it is believed to be named after John Dixon, a member of the New Zealand Company. In 2018 the Cuba Street rainbow crossing was painted in the intersection between Cuba and Dixon Streets.
In 2021 a transport consultancy firm proposed creating "traffic cells". Vehicles would be able to enter and exit these cells, but would not be able to drive between cells without using a "boundary road". In the proposal, non-boundary streets would give more priority to cyclists and pedestrians. The proposal included modifying Dixon Street to reduce through traffic between The Terrace and Taranaki Street. At the time, councillor Tamatha Paul stated that she was considering suggesting an amendment to the proposal, in which Dixon Street would be pedestrianised between Taranaki Street and Victoria Street. In November 2021 councillors voted 11-3 in favour of the amendment, which also included reducing car traffic in Cuba Street.
In 2021 the Wellington community expressed that they felt unsafe in the area around Te Aro Park and Dixon Street. That year the Wellington City Council, other government organisations and businesses launched the Pōneke Promise, a $7.7million commitment to reduce crime in the city, including Te Aro Park, Dixon Street, Courtenay Place and Cuba Street. Plans made in the promise involved crime prevention through environmental design. In 2022 the Dixon Street footpaths near Te Aro Park were widened, adding wooden decking. In that area planters were added to slow car traffic and to better separate the vehicle and pedestrian spaces. Parklets were also added to both sides of the street, giving people spaces to eat, and Locky Docks (bicycle lockers) were installed in one parklet. These changes were made by removing 30 of the 41 on-street parking spaces. Two speed cushions were also added in 2022.
Dixon Street Steps The Dixon Street Steps is a staircase connecting both sections of Dixon Street. It forms a zig-zag shape, in a heavily planted area. The steps are in an area between houses, and several homes directly connect to the steps. According to Wellington City Heritage, the Dixon Street Steps are one of the most frequently used pedestrian shortcuts in the city, and are one of only two sets of steps mentioned in the Wellington district plan, despite there being hundreds of similar shortcuts in the city.
The steps were created in 1879, out of timber, to give Te Aro residents access to The Terrace. Use of the steps increased after the creation of the suburb of Kelburn, and Victoria University. In 1897 it was reported that "the steps are now old, much worn as rotten and broken away and looking to fault in original design they urgently require to be reconstructed". After an unknown amount of time, the steps were paved. Lighting was installed in 1915. The stairs were repaired in 1944 and 1953. In 1955 a handrail was installed. In 1974 the William H. Denton Trust donated $1,600 "for the purpose of beautifying the Dixon Street Steps/Zig-zag area"; a plaque at the bottom of the steps mentions this. In 1988 a memorial bench was placed in the area, for the activist Elizabeth Sewell, who had died that year.
Te Aro Park
Dixon Street Flats
References