WELLINGTON – North Island, New Zealand
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is a vibrant city nestled between hills, the beautiful Wellington Harbour and the stormy waters of the Cook Strait. It is the second most populated city in New Zealand.
It is the main point of departure to the South Island. The city itself is an architectural blend of old Victorian and Edwardian variety and modern buildings, with a bustling waterfront encompassing beaches, walkways and marinas.
Wellington is named New Zealand’s “Windy City” with ferocious winds from the Cook Strait roaring through the city. To counter the extreme weather, the people of Wellington have created the country’s best cafe and arts scene, making Wellington the urban cultural capital of New Zealand.
The city plays host to numerous arts festivals in the summer season. The benchmark for art and culture is the Te Papa, New Zealand’s most modern and interactive museum built on a stunning waterfront location.
The city centre is very walkable along the waterfront through the Civic Square to Queens Wharf and the Museum of Wellington City and Sea. New Zealand’s Parliament is located in the Parliamentary District.
A brief tour of the Parliament building gives you a peek into the political scene and you can view the original Treaty of Waitangi in the New Zealand Archives. Close by is the birthplace of Katherine Mansfield, New Zealand’s most famous short story writer.
Wellington offers plenty of interesting activities. A ride on the Cable Car to Kelburn, a walk through the Botanical Gardens, a visit to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary or a stroll up Oriental Parade to the city’s lookout point on Mount Victoria are all fun activities that will keep you enthralled and occupied.
For those looking for more physical activity, a tramp to the seal colony at Red Rocks, the walking and biking trails of Southern Walkway, sailing or going on the ferry to the wildlife sanctuary of Matiu/Somes Island are great activities. Wellington also serves as an excellent base to visit Kapiti Island and Wairarapa.
Maori history attributes discovery of Wellington Harbour to Kupe around 925 A.D. Several Maori tribes (iwi) settled around the harbour over the centuries. Neither Abel Tasman nor Captain Cook could enter the harbour during their visits due to ferocious winds.
In 1840, the New Zealand Company bought a large piece of land near the harbour and this brought in the first European settlers. As there was a scarcity of land in the harbour region, settlers started land reclamation and it continued over a century later.
Wharves and businesses sprung up in the harbour making Wellington a hub of commercial activity and famous for its imports and exports. In 1865, Wellington was named the capital of New Zealand. Today it is a prosperous city with a rich tradition of maritime history, urban culture and modern day cosmopolitan living.
Wellington City
Wellington is not just the capital of New Zealand but also the cultural capital of New Zealand. Blessed with a beautiful natural harbour, it has a rich history, starting with the early Maori settlers and lasting through to the landing of the European settlers.
Today it is a bustling multicultural city of four hundred thousand people. Wellington houses the New Zealand Parliament and all major decisions affecting the country are made here.
Wellington owes its cultural significance in large measure to the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, the most modern and inventive museum in New Zealand. It is also home to the National Opera, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the studios of the brilliant director, Peter Jackson, the creator of the Lord of the Rings movies.
The cultural capital status that Wellington enjoys attracts the leading artists, fashion designers, academics and politicians to its fold.
Wellington is renowned for its incredible cafe buzz, alternative theatres, art galleries and swanky shops. The outlying terrain is varied ranging from the desolate South Coast to the stylish beaches of the Kapiti Coast, the natural magnificence of the Rimutaka Ranges, and the colonial Greytown and Martinborough wineries.
Wellington City – More Information
Kapiti Island
Kapiti Coast extends to the north of Wellington and is laced with funky beaches, beachside suburbs and golf courses. From here, 5 kms offshore, is the bird sanctuary and marine reserve of Kapiti Island.
Kapiti Island – More Information
Waikanae
Waikanae is located 14 kms south of Otaki and is home to the famous Nga Manu Nature Reserve, a large bird sanctuary.
Paraparaumu
Paraparaumu is about 45 kms from Wellington and is the most densely populated place on the Kapiti Coast. It serves as the main exit point to Kapiti Island.
Paraparaumu – More Information
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Wellington Accommodation
