The Local - Mt VictoriaMoir Street resident Craig Palmer was recently recognised by the Mt Victoria Residents’ Association for his contribution to the community. Sharon Greally caught up with Palmer at his Moir Street home.
Mt Victoria champion Craig Palmer, along with his partner, have lived in Moir St since 1982.
They started out at number 25, before purchasing and renovating number 29 to save it from demolition by developers.
“It was quite derelict. It had no piles – it was just resting on its totara floor joists. The house next door was in a similar state. It took us 3 years to renovate. It was a bigger job than we ever imagined. It was quite a stressful time! We moved in with it only half finished, and made incremental changes when there was money in the treasury. We both come from families that never borrowed – except for the mortgage.”
The house looks like a small cottage from the street but is actually on two levels. Like many Moir Street cottages, there’s very little space in front.
“One thing we like about living here is that physical space determines relationships, and with the close proximity of the houses, having being built right up to the street frontage, people get to know each other very well – a natural evolution of relationships. We have a street party every February, and all the generations take part.”
The proximity to the city means walking is the travel mode of choice.
“We haven’t had a car for 35 years – we walk everywhere. Having a car in Moir St., which was initially a single lane horse carriageway, is a curse! We walk everywhere. We buy food on the day for the day. There’s nothing in the fridge to snack on!”
Palmer’s connection to Wellington goes back a long time.
“I come from a working class family, growing up in a state house in Naenae. I was born on the corner of Ghuznee and Buller streets, and my father was actually born on the bottom of the Church Street steps of St. Mary of the Angels. My grandfather was born in Hall St., Newtown, and all of us were baptised at St. Peters church, on the corner of Ghuznee and Willis Streets. My Great grandfather came out here as labourer for McCarthy Trust Brewery, from Leamington Spa in England. So we have a long Wellington history. I still volunteer at St. Peter’s, cleaning weekly around the font of the church!”
Palmer’s contribution to Mt Victoria is significant. He initiated the establishment of the Mt Victoria Historical Society, was part of the group that successfully opposed the Basin Reserve Flyover, is a member of the Wellington Civic trust committee, and a founding member of the ‘Friends Of The Town Belt’ committee. As such, he participated in the drafting of the Wellington Town Belt Act 2016, as well as the Town Belt Management Plan 2018.
He is also proud of his role in the installation of pedestrian shelters opposite the Embassy Theatre in the 1990s. It took him 10 years of lobbying and numerous council committee meetings to see them through to fruition.
“Their amenity value is considerable. They enhance the experience of all those walking to and from the central city.”
However there are some things he’s not so happy about. “Not saving Crossways or the cottage at number 2 Moir St., and failing to persuade the Wellington Greens that high rise apartment buildings in the inner city neighbourhoods will not achieve first home ownership.”
Palmer and his partner met in the Overseas Trade service, and have worked and travelled extensively, including Paris, Toronto, Germany, Australia, and London.
“My favourite was Paris. I found London miserable!”
Palmer said they chose to live in Mt Victoria because it was the last inner city suburb to lose the sun.
“The geography of Wellington creates a microclimate here. There are two spurs, one being the Government House spur, the other is the St Gerard’s spur, and those two create deflect the southerly squalls as they come through, and it gets maximum sunlight.
“One of my favourite vistas is coming home from the central city in the early evening, and the setting sun illuminates the understory of the Town Belt, and creates this golden light between the flora of the town belt and the trees. Just for about 5 minutes, there’s this golden light that vibrates – its absolute magic! ”
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