The development of Wadestown began in 1840 when two speculators, John Wade and James Watt, bought up land to develop into some forty country sections. Harbour Section 1, which later became Wadestown was part of Wade's vision. His vision was a settlement for workers.

The layout of the sections is reputed to have been created in London. It's grid pattern taking no notice of the nature of the terrain. The result are streets like Weld Street which runs in a straight line from the top of Tinakori Hill down towards the Ngaio Gorge. It begins as a street then turned to steps at Wade Street when the slope became too steep, then back to a road, more steps, another short section of road, then to a very steep path until it finally ends at a cliif face.

Since Wadestown was to be workers' settlement, most of the sections were small and since most working men of the 1840's would not be able to afford a horse and cart, the streets were made very narrow.

This is the same view of Wadestown as above but taken in the 1930's

Believed to have been taken in 1908 as train enters tunnel beneath Hanover Street. The two story house above the smoke
and backed by trees housed the bakery, and a store where former Prime Minister Keith Holyoake worked as a lad.
The long single story building to its right is the old Presbyterian Church. This was later moved to the section below in Hanover
Street where it remains today. The present A-framed church building was built on the site of the old church.
The long narrow path up the centre of the photograph is Weld Street.