LOWER HUTT

city, Wellington local government region, southern North Island, New Zealand, about 9 miles (14 km) northeast of Wellington. It is the major business centre for the highly urbanized Hutt River valley and is within the Wellington urban area. Its heavy-industrial facilities include auto-assembly plants and oil installations; plastics, paint, footwear, and glass factories; rail workshops; and engineering plants. The city is also home to many research organizations, including major units of New Zealand's Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the head office of the New Zealand Geological Survey. Pop. (1991) 94,540.