November 2021 update: when I placed this the terrain was barren. Now the bushes are above head height. It has become impossible to reach from below, and even from above you will need to push through some bushes. I have put more detailed access instructions in the hint.
Weld Street has a reputation as being one of the steepest streets in Wellington. Running between a cliff face above Ngaio Gorge in the north and an entrance to the town belt on Te Ahumairangi (Tinakori) Hill in the south, it rises about 175m in elevation over a distance of not much more than about 800m.
Legend has it the early street planning of the suburb took place back in London, based on a grid pattern without any reference to the terrain. As a result, three sections of the street are too steep for a road, and have pedestrian access only.
The bottom section
The bottom section runs north of Wadestown Road to the edge of the Ngaio Gorge, above the Johnsonville railway line. Only a short part of this section is road; the remainder is a very steep path that drops down along side a deep gully, and eventually connects up with a short walkway to Fernhill Terrace at the northern-most end.
Pedestrian access at bottom part of Weld Street
Pedestrian access to house across the gully, in place of road access
The middle section
The middle section runs from Wadestown Road, across Margaret Street to Wade Street. Between Wadestown Road and Margaret Street is a pedestrian-only flight of steps and a short section of road. Further up the hill, between Margaret Street and Wade Street, the road gets steeper. On this section is the Wadestown Side School, where year 1 and 2 pupils attend before moving around to the Main School at Rose Street. This section also forms part of the Northern Walkway and Te Araroa Trail, between Te Ahumairangi Hill and the Ngaio Gorge.
Middle part of Weld Street - part of Northern Walkway and Te Araroa Trail
Wadestown Side School and Weld Street
The top section
The top section provides access to Te Ahumairangi Hill, part of the green belt and popular for walking, running, mountain biking and dog walking. Pedestrians can take the path from Wade Street directly opposite the end of the Weld Street road, while motorists have to take the road further to the west.
Pedestrian access at Wade Street, to top part of Weld Street
View of top of Weld Street and Ngaio Gorge
The cache
The cache is hidden near Weld Street on the northern slopes of Te Ahumairangi (Tinakori) Hill, in an area that was recently cleared of pine trees. The area has been planted out with native shrubs and bushes, and when they are established, they will nurture larger native trees.
Getting to this cache needs good footwear: there are loose wood chips underfoot,which are unstable on the steep slope. There are also gorse and blackberry bushes starting to emerge - they won't stop you from accessing the site but will be unpleasant if you stand on them in sandals.
If you approach from below you'll need to climb a small bank; if you approach from above you'll need to push past some bushes and you won't see the hint object until you're at GZ so follow your GPSr.
Please make sure the cache is returned exactly how you found it. And please ensure you bring your own pen, because any log that doesn't have a corresponding entry in the logbook will be removed.