Nelson City Council

About

Fort Arthur was an elongated hexagonal earthwork about 136m by 80m, with bastions at each corner, on the flanks of Cathedral Hill. Within the earthworks, on high ground, stood a stockade measuring 48m by 15m. Today, one can see the remnants of ramparts and a memorial plaque.

History

Built on the site where Christ Church Cathedral now sits, Fort Arthur was named after Captain Arthur Wakefield and built in September 1843 by the New Zealand Company to provide a safe haven for the settlers of Nelson following 'the Wairau massacre' and growing aggression from local Māori .

The Nelson Battalion of Militia was formed 12 August 1845 under the terms of the Militia Act of 1845. This made the Nelson Battalion of Militia the first Army unit to be formed in the South Island and indeed one of the first in New Zealand.

The Militia Act of 1845, enabled the Governor to form local Militia units in districts that were under threat of hostile actions or emergencies. All males between the ages of 18 and 60, excepting judges, members of the Legislative Council, Māori and clergymen were expected to make themselves available for 28 days service every year. These Militia units were only permitted to operate within 25 mile radius of the settlement, and were consequently used mainly for garrison duties.

The battalion paraded and trained three times a day for the first 28 days at Fort Arthur. By 28 November 1845 the last of the Militiamen had completed their service obligations and the unit was disbanded.

Location

The remnants of Fort Arthur Earthworks and the memorial can be found on Cathedral Hill adjacent to the Cathedral's carpark.

For more information

For more information on heritage walks and heritage sites please contact Arts and Heritage Adviser.

Check out the Nelson Cathedral page.