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Wellington

Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand, located at the southwestern tip of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. As the world's southernmost capital of a sovereign state, it combines cultural vibrancy with striking natural geography.

Quick facts

Population
215,900 (city, 2021)
Currency
New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Language
English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
Timezone
NZDT (UTC+13)
Local time now
08:07:34

Hotels in Wellington

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West Plaza Hotel
Te Aro · 112 m from centre
Hotel St. George
243 m from centre
Central City Apartment Hotel
Te Aro · 275 m from centre

Airports in Wellington

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Wellington Airport
5.0 km from centre
Takarau Gorge Road Airstrip
7.4 km from centre
Ohariu Valley Airstrip
12.2 km from centre

Car Hire in Wellington

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Budget
522 m from centre
Apex
599 m from centre
Hireace
765 m from centre
Bargain rental cars
885 m from centre

Things to Do in Wellington

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Signs of War
13 m from centre
Yitzhak Rabin memorial
82 m from centre
2011 Rugby World Cup Monument
85 m from centre
Shoreline 1840
164 m from centre
Kennedy Buildings
186 m from centre
Shoreline 1840
192 m from centre

Restaurants in Wellington

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Swimming Pools in Wellington

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Freyberg Pool & Fitness Centre
1.1 km from centre
Thorndon Summer Pool
1.6 km from centre
Khandallah Summer Pool
5.3 km from centre

Spas in Wellington

We're still gathering spas listings for Wellington — check back soon.

Nightlife in Wellington

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Club 121
485 m from centre

Bars in Wellington

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Cafes in Wellington

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flows
142 m from centre
Pickle and Pie
148 m from centre
Swimsuit
170 m from centre

Shopping in Wellington

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18 Willis Street
249 m from centre
James Smith Corner
251 m from centre
Old Bank Arcade
337 m from centre

Nature & Wildlife in Wellington

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Jack Ilott Green
76 m from centre
Frank Kitts Park
235 m from centre
Phillip Cotterell Memorial Garden
301 m from centre
Flagstaff Hill
341 m from centre
Terrace Gardens
346 m from centre
Volunteers' Corner
347 m from centre

Climate snapshot

Wellington features a temperate maritime climate with mild conditions year-round. The city is notably the world's windiest city by average wind speed, so visitors should expect consistent breezes throughout the year.

Interesting Facts About Wellington — Weird & Wonderful

  • Wellington is the world's southernmost capital of a sovereign state.
  • It is the world's windiest city by average wind speed.
  • Wellington is the third-largest city in New Zealand.
  • The city is located between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range at the southwestern tip of the North Island.

Events & Festivals Not to Miss in Wellington

New Zealand Festival of the Arts
A biennial celebration of arts and culture held in Wellington.
Wellington Jazz Festival
A biennial jazz music festival celebrating jazz culture in Wellington.
Capital E National Arts Festival for Children
A biennial arts festival dedicated to children's cultural performances and participation.
World of Wearable Art
A major event showcasing innovative wearable art and fashion in Wellington.
Artsplash Festival
An annual children's festival that brings together hundreds of students from across the region, featuring music, dance performances, and visual arts presentations.
Performance Arcade
An annual live-art event held in shipping containers on the Wellington waterfront.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wellington

What is the official language spoken in Wellington?

English is the primary language spoken in Wellington, New Zealand.

What currency is used in Wellington?

New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the official currency used in Wellington.

What region is Wellington in?

Wellington is the administrative centre of the Wellington Region, located on the North Island of New Zealand.

What timezone is Wellington in?

Wellington operates on Pacific/Auckland timezone.

What makes Wellington's weather unique?

Wellington is known as the world's windiest city by average wind speed due to its temperate maritime climate and coastal location.

Map of Wellington

View larger map · © OpenStreetMap contributors