Wellington New Zealand is New Zealand’s capital city, and is also known as the nation’s arts and culture capital.
Although Wellington New Zealand is not the largest city in the country, it is famed for its lively down town cafés, shopping, nightlife and entertainment venues, and a beautiful harbour setting. 
As befits a city of Wellington's size there are a wide range of Wellington Hotels with something to suit all budgets. One of our favourites is the Copthorne Hotel Oriental Bay. Directly across the road from the water, so great views. Wellington is also the departure / arrival point for the Inter Island ferry which transports people, vehicles and goods between the North and South Islands. The trip across to Picton on the South Island is one of the great ferry journeys, and takes you through the Marlborough Sounds as you near Picton. Wellington New Zealand, built on the edge of a deep harbour and steep surrounding hills, 
is New Zealand's 'creative capital'. The city is home to the Museum of New Zealand
Te Papa
Tongarewa, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and national treasures such as the original Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document.
As with many parts of New Zealand, nature and wildlife experiences are major attractions in the Wellington region. Zealandia, a popular sanctuary for endangered native birds and other wildlife is only minutes from the city centre. Kapiti island, situated on the "Nature Coast" north of Wellington, is an internationally regarded nature reserve where you can mingle with rare native birds.
Maori Culture / History Wellington was originally known to the Maori people as Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui, meaning "the head of Maui's fish", referring to how Aotearoa (New Zealand) was created.
The polynesian explorer Kupe is credited with discovering Wellington harbour around the 10th century. He named several places on the Wellington peninsula including Matiu (Somes) Island and Makaro (Ward) Island. Over the next thousand years, different Maori iwi (tribes) settled in the area including the Ngai Tara who gave their name to Wellington harbour. Te Whanganui a Tara means the "great harbour of Tara". The Ngai Tara eventually merged with the Ngati Ira tribe. Other local tribal groups are Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tahu and Ngati Mamoe. European settlers arrived in the early 1840s. Petone, on the northern end of the harbour, was originally chosen as the site for the new town but the swampy land was unsuitable for development so the settlement was relocated across the harbour. In 1865 Wellington New Zealand became the capital of New Zealand, and has been the centre of New Zealand government since then.
Food and Wine Wellington New Zealand is a food lovers paradise and is said to have more eateries per capita than New York. With over 300 cafés, bars and restaurants, locals and visitors are spoilt for choice.
Nature / Sustainability Zealandia , located just 10 minutes from the city at Karori, is a beautiful eco attraction and haven for a selection of New Zealand’s rarest native wildlife. Located on a 225 hectare (550 acre) site, Zealandia comprises a state of the art indoor exhibition and a predator proof outdoor sanctuary. 
Since the early 1990s, the site has been transformed from a pest infected area covered in introduced plants, to what is now a world first conservation reserve. Protected species include rare New Zealand birds such as the hihi, the little spotted kiwi and the saddleback. New Zealand's giant insect, the weta, and the bizarre tuatara reptile are also featured. Looking to the future, Zealandia hope to eventually return the reserve to its pre civilisation state.
Wellington Zoo is a great place for all the family, with over 500 animals on display. Around 45 minutes drive from the city, Kapiti island is a further example of the regions' sustainability committment. As New Zealand’s oldest nature reserve, Kapiti is covered in native forest, and is home to many species of native wildlife.
Art and Culture In Wellington New Zealand New Zealand’s arts and culture capital has many museums and art galleries, as well as a thriving theatre and film scene. Annual large scale international events include the International Arts Festival, Wellington Sevens Rugby tournament, and World of WearableArt awards.
The Museum of Wellington City and Sea, in a significant heritage building on the waterfront, offers an insight into the city’s social and cultural history. Wellington New Zealand is often referred to as "Wellywood" and is the hub of New Zealand’s growing film industry. Wellington is the home of film director Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) and his production facility, and was a location for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong. Weta Cave is a museum which showcases the work of Jackson and his partners Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Jamie Selkirk. The mini museum houses various displays including props and characters from more than 20 years of Weta production.
There Is Lots To Do In Wellington New Zealand! Here are a few ideas (you can also see some popular attractions in the column on the right hand side of this page): 
* A visit to New Zealand's National Museum, Te Papa should be one of the first things on your "to do" list. This amazing place is the perfect spot to visit for a revealing look at kiwi culture and history. Such is the volume of information and displays (many interactive) that you can easily spend a whole day there. * A ride on Wellington's famous cable car should be right at the top of your list. The trip takes you from Lambton Quay in the city centre, to the top entrance to the Wellington Botanic Gardens. Amazing views. * And a visit to the Botanic Gardens is a relaxing way to pass a few hours. Established in 1868, the gardens have a wide range of plants covering many different climate zones. * Take a scenic walk on one of the many walks in and around the city. One of the most poular is the 12 kilometre long City to Sea walkway, which takes you 
from the Bolton St Memorial Park in the city to Island Bay. The walk passes many parks and the Botanic Gardens and offers wonderful views. Catch a bus back to the city when finished.
Other great walks are the Pencarrow Coastal Trail, the Hutt River Trail, the Makara Walkway and the Rimutaka Rail Trail. * Take a guided Lord of the Rings tour and see where many scenes were filmed. * Mt Victoria lookout sits 196 metres above Evans Bay and provides wonderful panoramic views over the city, Cook Strait and surrounding country. * Visit New Zealand Parliament House for a guided tour. Enjoy! DID YOU KNOW * Wellington New Zealand is the world's southernmost capital. * Wellington city is on an active earthquake fault, and the modern city is mostly built on reclaimed land.
* Wellington’s distinctive Beehive building - in the Parliamentary precinct - was reputedly designed during dinner on the back of a napkin. * New York city temporarily sprang up in Seaview, on Wellington’s harbour fringe, for the King Kong film set. * Most residents of Wellington New Zealand live within 3km of the sea.
For more information on Wellington New Zealand, click here to visit the Tourism New Zealand web site.
|
According to Maori legend, the Polynesian navigator Maui hooked a giant fish that, when pulled to the surface, turned into the land form now known as the North Island.
Top restaurants include Matterhorn, Logan Brown and Martin Bosley's Yacht Club Restaurant. A strong focus on local produce ensures a rewarding dining experience.
Te Papa Tongarewa Museum is a contemporary museum of innovative and interactive displays. Te Papa showcases New Zealand’s diverse art and visual culture in collections featuring wildlife, history, Maori culture, contemporary art and culture.
