Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city, wedged between the steep hills and sea. It consists of rugged mountain ranges from the Rimutaka to the Tarauas and a variety of natural scenery within 10 to 15mins of travel. There are eight districts and council areas, where approximately 541,000 people are accommodated in this region. The Wellington region is home to many diverse cultures, with 75% being European, 14% Maori, 13% Asians, 8% Pacific People, and 1.9% Latin American/African.
New Zealanders love to hike in the mountains, kayak around the coastline of Wellington and go exploring for mountain biking. Walking is the primary mode of public transport within the central business district area as Wellington is substantially famous for its safety. They also provide established bus networks, taxis, and Ubers, making it convenient and easy to get around the city. Furthermore, Wellington is considered the region with the highest public transport users.
Activities and things to do in Wellington
There are numerous things to do by yourself or with your family in the Wellington district. Wellington has a famous national innovative exhibition known as ‘Te papa’, which tells the stories of Aotearoa, New Zealand. This exhibition has six levels of interactive stories suited to all ages and curious minds.
Wellington is known as the culinary capital of New Zealand, as it is famous for its award-winning fine dining restaurants, coffee, and unique cafes. It is known as the ‘creative city’ with numerous galleries, renowned museums, and fun local attractions that can be explored alone, with your partner, or with friends.
Located just an hour away from Wellington over Remutaka Hill is Martinborough. There are over 20 wineries located in this area that specifically specialise in Pinot Noir, Elegant Shiraz, and Sauvignon Blanc. Numerous visitors cycle to different vineyards as cellar doors are all within short cycling distance. There is also an annual Martinborough Wine Festival called ‘Toast Martinborough’ towards the end of the year, where a bus is provided to transfer between wineries throughout the day. You can experience their local food, cellar doors and vineyards in one day!
The Wellington cable car offers the city’s most spectacular views that no one should miss. This is a quick five-minute journey between the village of Kelburn and the city, where the cable car rises 120m high over 612m. The cable car will travel to the top through three iconic tunnels and bridges.
Wellington Zoo is a fun activity for you, your friends, and your family to see over 500 animals and sit with endangered animals. The commitment of Wellington Zoo to making the nation a better place goes beyond the animal programs. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has also awarded Wellington Zoo for sustainability globally.
Take in the beautiful views of the Mount Victoria lookout located in the central city of Wellington. You can either walk through the trails or drive to the top, where you can grab afternoon tea with spectacular views during sunset.
Wellington also contains natural, breathtaking outdoor activities such as beaches, campsites, regional parks, hiking trails, and mountain biking.
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Recreation & Leisure in Wellington
Education in Wellington
There are numerous opportunities for education in Wellington, where all students are provided with a range of learning content. There are approximately 400 options within the Wellington region for early childhood education where teachers are qualified and adequately trained. Primary and secondary schools operate to high national standards, with public and private education facilities involved. They generally work on a decile system, allowing them to receive a grade according to the situation of students.
Weather in Wellington
Wellington has a reputation for experiencing all sorts of weather conditions. However, the city’s frequent winds make it windier than the rest of New Zealand. Though Wellington does not experience extreme temperatures, there would occasionally be short bursts of rain. It is warm in the summers, where temperatures range between 15 and 20 degrees celcius and zero to ten degrees in the middle of winter. With winds up to 63km/hr and above, New Zealanders never pack an umbrella due to the frequent winds and use a rain jacket as an alternative. Moreover, they protect themselves from the high UV rays by wearing a hat and sunscreen between October and April.
Working industry in Wellington
Wellington’s hospitality industry is robust, and known for its famous restaurants and chefs. There is no need to worry about salary, as Wellington is one of the most highly paid salary averages across New Zealand. Not only this, but the Wellington district offers thousands of exciting opportunities and possibilities regardless of your cultural background. Other vital working industries include technology, gaming, and food and beverage. Work opportunities have also come up for tourism, arts, and the film sector as Wellington is becoming a hub for more creative types.
Nicest suburbs in Wellington
Numerous New Zealanders with families are moving to ‘Brooklyn’ for the spacious atmosphere and green surroundings. It is located on a beautiful hill and only ten minutes from the city, making it convenient for anyone to travel in the town. ‘Mount Cook’ is a quiet, lovely residential area with well-presented houses. It has been gaining attention from New Zealanders as it is one of the safer suburbs in Wellington. ‘Miramar’ has one of the best beachside areas with a super friendly, local atmosphere. During the summer season, locals around Miramar love to stroll along the beach.
Most affordable suburbs in Wellington
‘Lower Hutt’ is the most affordable suburb to purchase and rent a property. It costs between NZ $790k – NZ $816k to buy and NZ $400 – NZ $500 weekly to rent an unfurnished two-bedroom home. Most of the affordable suburbs to rent are all based in the city district of Wellington. Costing approximately NZ $390 per week for an unfurnished two-bedroom apartment, it can be quite difficult to find rental vacancies in this area.
Wellington safety
Though the overall crime in Wellington is decreasing, the two suburbs with the most crime rates are ‘Hutt Valley’ and ‘Wairarapa’. The main crimes in New Zealand are getting their residential property broken into, vandalism, robberies, and car theft. Though walking alone in these suburbs is exceptionally safe during the daytime, be mindful and cautious when walking at night.
