Sacred Heart Cathedral

Wellington Region, New Zealand

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

Phone: +64 4 496 1700

From OpenStreetMap — confirm before travelling

Find out more

Sacred Heart Cathedral on Hill Street in Wellington, New Zealand, is a Roman Catholic cathedral church designed by architect Francis Petre in the Palladian architectural style and completed in 1851. Originally known popularly as "the Basilica" for its distinctive Palladian design, the cathedral serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Wellington and the parish church of Thorndon Catholic parish, founded in 1850. It is part of a substantial Catholic precinct that includes St Mary's College, Sacred Heart Cathedral School, St Mary's Convent, and the Catholic Centre. The church was formally designated as Wellington's cathedral in 1984 following earthquake strengthening and the addition of the Blessed Sacrament chapel, foyer, sacristy, courtyard, hall, and piazza. In July 2018, the main building closed for major seismic strengthening and renovation; after a $13 million project, it reopened in June 2024. The cathedral is listed as a Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic place.