Paddy the Wanderer: Wellington History Walk

A dog’s eye view of Wellington waterfront history with Wellington Museum Senior Curator, Taonga, Ian Wards.

Bring your canine family member. Dog treats included!

Who was Paddy the Wanderer?

Paddy the Wanderer was a beloved Airdale Terrier known for roaming Wellington waterfront in the 1930s. After many adventures and years of dedication to the city’s maritime community, the Wellington Harbour Board bestowed Paddy the title of “Assistant Night Watchman in Charge of Pirates, Rodents and Smugglers.”

A life-sized statue of Paddy is proudly on display at Wellington Museum and the drinking fountain for dogs and their humans outside of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts is also dedicated to him.

Retrace Paddy’s pawprints and fetch fascinating stories with Wellington Museum’s history dog-walk.

Note: please bring socialised/trained dogs only. And don’t forget to BYO doggy-doo bags!

Walk begins at Wellington Museum and ends at Oriental Bay.

Dogs go Free