Living in Wellington, New Zealand:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

Its central CBD is a boutique version of Vienna, Austria and San Francisco, California. You can see this in general architecture and the many cafes, serving really good coffee. It is the administrative capital, and one can walk to just about all the major ministry HQs within 20mins, and also has a great natural harbour. You can be living in the greater Wellington region, and get into the CBD within a 20-30min train ride, or an hour by two fairly straight forward highways. We have a ferry service to the South Island, and an international terminal that flies directly to many countries and indirectly to many more. There is much to offer, despite the housing problems similar in many countries. It IS a BEAUTIFUL natural environment.

Newcomers should know that Wellington is often a very windy city, which has pros and cons. The positive side is that all the pollution is blown away and the air is therefore clear to breathe, however the downside is that it can be hard to have a pleasant picnic in the park with a gale gusting all around! Other than that it is a trendy place full of arts, crafts and a plethora of cafes and restaurants of varying quality. It’s motto is: You can’t beat Wellington on a good day…

Wellington is at first a somewhat difficult place to appreciate for when you first arrive you can easily be dissuaded from seeing all the hidden wonders that it has to offer and simply view it as just another city. You must give it a chance and realise it is a small personable city, before long you will know your way around the city streets and the forest that surrounds it.

Someone moving to Wellington should know primarily that although all of the pictures look breathtakingly lovely, the weather here can be less than lovely. There are however, a number of things to do here, including a wildlife preserve, many walks along the waterfront, the national museum and a local one. It is also very hilly, and can be difficulty for someone who is unfit, and is not the best for cycling. They should also know that since Wellington is a coastal city, it is very easy to go to the beach anytime one desires.

If you love the sea, native birds visiting your balcony as the morning sun rises, and delicious coffee, Wellington might be the city for you! Nestled at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, Wellington is renowned for its festivals, accredited universities, and commitment to sustainable living. In an effort to improve native biodiversity in the city, Wellington City Council (WCC) promises to plant 1,000,000 trees and eradicate introduced mammalian predators by 2050.

If you’re moving to Wellington, don’t bring an umbrella. Often referred to as “The Windy City”, New Zealand’s capital is subject to frequent storms and strong Southerly winds. However, don’t let the weather deter you – just wear a wind proof jacket and let the wonderful art, culture, and culinary scenes sweep you away instead. Wellington is not only the seat of New Zealand’s government, but also the country’s cultural capital and home of the national schools of drama and dance. The national museum is here, and the award-winning Weta workshop. Wellington is a hilly wonderland, so be prepared to meet and exceed your daily step target. A day out in Wellington can be done almost completely on foot, and the central city is laid out like a pedestrian’s dream. don’t let the windy weather and steep hills put you off – come to Wellington and see the many wonders of the Windy City.