This is a story about family tradition, a young man’s passion about a street, despair, and hope. About a proud Wellingtonian, a top sportsperson who played at the highest levels of the game we call rugby. 

A local that has owned a property or one building, should we say, a key building in Courtney Place. 

This rugby mad bloke purchased the building off the public trust 40 years ago, on a whim it seems, based around the energy and atmosphere the street exhibited at the time. 

Possibly as he was spending a bit too much time on the strip.

Reportedly purchased the building from a local family that experienced a terrible “matrimonial incident”, with one of the family apprehended trying to purchase a gun to shoot a local bus driver, who “it was reported” was having an uninvited dilliance with his wife.

Thankfully no one died, but one of the family went to prison. Not the sports star, thankfully.

Courtney Place has so many stories that can’t be told and this one is slightly edgy but allowed through. 

The story we’re about to tell you is about this man’s family. From the second boat, The Lord William Bentinct, arriving in Oriental Parade in 1840,through Wellington’s early years to him becoming a very proud avid Wellingtonian and sports star.   Purchasing a building in Courtney Place and then encouraging and supporting various hospitality businesses in that building for 40 years. 

Fast forward to some very, very very good times in the 80s and the ’90s when Courtney Place was a significant drawcard for the Wellington region with some saying “it’s the best little entertainment city around”. Was!

This retired sports star wants to do all he can to improve the social standard, so the street can find its way and bounce back as if to say, if Courtney Place was the All Blacks it should be pulling as one team, but it appears to be a fragmented team with no coach or common goal. SNAP!.

A Titan of Wellington property, Ian Cassels saying “Don’t do anything, give it a break from clipboard carrying consultants, trying to change it. It needs a break from LGWM madness. 

It appears that in the absence of common sense or a unifying vision, the businesses have jumped in to perform CPR on themselves. 

No more unexpected outcomes or unfulfilled promises, this star wants everyone to work together for Courtney Place, a showcase for Wellington. It’s been a theme from this family, pioneers and hard workers who weren’t short of a bold vision or a long term commitment in a place.  

But he’s just one single landlord, a regular bloke, who loves Wellington, who talks about CP being a beautiful area, and a nice wide street. “It’s very cool and you can see everything unfold right in front of you”. 

His building was next door to Paradiso which became Hummingbird, which has now been empty for years. 

His building is also partially empty, due to earthquake strengthening and COVID-era one-meter separation rules forcing on Pizza shop to scarper to bigger digs around the corner. 

Breathless at the predicament of unifying a street and eager to share his story, as though he is jogging back to half way after scoring for the AB’s, he says “I wish council would simplify the loops and make it easier for the owners, and the police would work more positively, as opposed to coming in with a hard out 2 a.m closing. 

This man talks about actions speaking louder than words and working as one team, and he would know because he is Murray Mexted.