Wellington

Wellington/Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara

Wellington is New Zealand’s political capital, and is also the most southern capital city in the world.  A 2009 research survey deemed that Wellington combines a high quality of life with a low cost of living.  The city has a thriving multi cultural atmosphere that is evident through the town, in the selection of ethnic restaurants, cafes, galleries and other attractions.  

Wellington is located on the south western tip of the North Island and is bordered by the Cook Strait, the Rimutaka Ranges to the east and the beaches of Kapiti Coast to the north.  Wellingtons urban area consists of four cities; Wellington City, the towns central business district, which is located on a peninsula between Cook Strait and Wellington Harbour, Lower and Upper Hutt Cities (collectively known as the Hutt Valley), comprising Wellingtons suburban areas and Poirua City, on the Poirua Harbour, which is home to a large Polynesian community.

The city has a moderate climate and averages 196 days of sunlight a year.  Wellington is generally very windy and receives a lot of rain.  Snow is rare; Wellington’s last snowfall was in 1995.

In Maori history, Wellington was discovered and explored by Kupe, a chief responsible for the Polynesian discovery of New Zealand, in the tenth century.  Europeans settlement occurred in 1839 with the arrival of the New Zealand Company ship Tory.  Wellington replaced Auckland as New Zealand’s capital city in 1865.

Wellington is a geographically beautiful and varied area.  The surrounding bushland is a popular spot for outdoor adventurers, who enjoy hiking, biking and four wheel driving, while the city’s sparkling harbour is a common area for water sports enthusiasts.

The architecture of Wellington is enchantingly unique, with the city striking a balance between retaining iconic buildings and introducing modern design.  Heritage buildings stand next to towering skyscrapers in many parts of the town.  Wellington has also retained its cable car.  The Wellington Cable Car is one of the few inclined cable railways left in the world and runs between Wellington’s main shopping street and nearby hilly suburbs.  

Wellington is the nerve centre for most of the nation’s major cultural organisation and lovers of the arts will enjoy the many quality museums, art galleries and ballets in town.  The city has several theatres and performing art complexes – the Wellington Improvisation Troupe are a noteworthy example – and is home to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Wellington is sometimes called Wellywood, as it was the main filming and production location for Lord of the Rings.  Conservation laws required that the sets be removed once filming finished, but many remnants of the event still exist.  Many locals were involved in catering, set production and props, and many scenes were filmed against the iconic Mount Victoria.  Director Peter Jackson, a New Zealand native, still has a house in the waterfront suburb of Seatoun.

Travellers will find there’s much to love about New Zealand’s capital.  Whether you’re an adventure junky, a cultural buff, a foodie or just a tourist looking for a memorable New Zealand experience, Wellington’s attractions will keep you engaged.