Fort Balance Wellington

Fort Balance, Wellington was the earliest gun emplacement constructed on Point Gordon. Along with Fort Kelburne, Fort Ballance was one of two emplacements, which can truely be called a 'fort' as it was a self-sufficient unit created to resist an enemy attack from the land. Fort Ballance was constructed of timber, mortar and corrugated iron sheets by ex- members of the armed constabulary. Originally, the most important armament at Fort Ballance comprised of two 7-inch R.M.L. guns next to one 6-inch disappearing gun. However, at present, one of the 7-inch guns were removed and exchanged with another 6-inch disappearing gun.

At present, Fort Balance, Wellington is one of the finest intact examples of cord of fortifications that built in the 1880s to protect the country from naval attack. Fort Ballance is a very significant historical site and has great physical importance. Designed and built by the New Zealand Government was designed and constructed Fort Ballance, which is a real proof of New Zealand’s first step in the direction of independence from the British Crown. The 1880s design of the fort is largely unchanged and an excellent impact of the original nineteenth century fort remains. Fort Balance, Wellington is technologically important as an early example of the utilization of concrete as a building material. Fort Ballance is extraordinary as one of the few military sites, which continuously used for 105 years and has immense educational value as a rare representative of the New Zealand’s fast and ongoing developments in military technology. Fort Balance, Wellington has different names, such as Fort Balance, Fort Gordon, Gordon Point Battery, Low Battery, Lower Battery, Te Mahanga Pa.

Location Details of the Fort Balance, Wellington-
Fort Ballance Road turns off from Shelly Bay Road close to the NIWA laboratory at Mahanga Bay. Fort Ballance is situated at the end of the road. Entrée to this site is strictly prohibited except by permission from the New Zealand Army.