A plaque installed with the work reads:

SWEET HEALTH AND FAIR DESIRES
CONSORT YOUR GRACE
THY OWN WISH – WISH I THEE
IN EVERY PLACE

- SHAKESPEARE

ERECTED BY WELLINGTON JAYCEES 1960

Features tiles depicting fish, crabs, starfish, sea snails, shells of many sorts and seagulls in an overarching palette of blues and sea-greens.

Originally gifted by the Wellington Jaycees, and built by its members in 1960, by 1996 the wishing well was in a state of disrepair with holes in the fibreboard walls, dysfunctional water pipes and rubbish build-up in the base. The Oriental Bay Residents' Association undertook a project to have it renovated, led by Jane Aim, a committee member at the time and now a life member of OBRA. The original concept was designed by local resident Belinda Reburn (later based in Nelson). The tiles were handmade by Neville Porteous of Porteous Tiles, Khandallah with some flat tiles painted by artist Helene Carroll. The Wellington City Council was also involved in the refurbishment.

Renovations were possible thanks to generous donations from Jack Ilott and the Community Trust of Wellington. OBRA contributed but the main cost was borne by Wellington City Council.

- adapted from article first published in Bay View newsletter 67, May 2016

Today, ‘Oriental Bay at Wishing Well’ is a landmark used by weather forecasters and water quality reporting.