The fort overlooks Wellington harbour from the top of a steep hill in Barnard Street, above Kaiwharawhara.
It was built in 1885 in response to concerns that Russia was gearing up to expand its empire in the South Pacific, the first fort capable of defending Wellington's port from a naval attack.

It is of national historical importance because the battery is one of the least altered examples of the first defences constructed in the late nineteenth-century in preparation for an expected Russian naval invasion.
Fort Buckley is part of a wider network of coastal defences erected around that time, and its construction reflects New Zealand's increasing independence from Britain on military matters during that period.

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust gave the fort a category 1 historic place listing in 2004.
 It is now a recreation reserve managed by the Highland Park Progressive Association (HPPA) in partnership with the Wellington City Council (WCC).
The fort overlooks Wellington harbour from the top of a steep hill in Barnard Street, above Kaiwharawhara. It was built in 1885 in response to concerns that Russia was gearing up to expand its empire in the South Pacific, the first fort capable of defending Wellington's port from a naval attack.
It is of national historical importance because the battery is one of the least altered examples of the first defences constructed in the late nineteenth-century in preparation for an expected Russian naval invasion. Fort Buckley is part of a wider network of coastal defences erected around that time, and its construction reflects New Zealand's increasing independence from Britain on military matters during that period.
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust gave the fort a category 1 historic place listing in 2004.  It is now a recreation reserve managed by the Highland Park Progressive Association (HPPA) in partnership with the Wellington City Council (WCC).
Wadestown, New Zealand