Wellington
If it's your first time in Wellington, some things might be new to you, like the public transport system and finding your way around the city. This can be exciting but don't worry if you feel a little homesick. That's natural, especially in the first 12 months of living overseas.
One of the best things you can do to feel at home is to explore and experience your city. Then the things that are new become normal as you create a great life here.
Been in Wellington for a while? Scroll down and see if you've visited all the places and landmarks listed below!
Quick facts
Population
The Wellington region has a combined population of around 506,814 people(external link that opens in a new tab). Wellington City itself has a population of around 202,737 people.
Fun fact
Wellington is the southernmost capital in the world and is packed with over 400 cafes and restaurants!
Places to visit
Living in Wellington
There are many ways to describe life in Wellington. Here are two important ones:
Wonderful
Wellington is a multicultural and vibrant city. You'll find food from all over the world including vegetarian, halal and vegan options.
There are also many different festivals to experience, like the:
- Japan Festival Wellington(external link that opens in a new tab).
- CubaDupa festival(external link that opens in a new tab).
- Newtown Festival Street Fair(external link that opens in a new tab).
- Māori Matariki festival(external link that opens in a new tab).
- World of Wearable Arts(external link that opens in a new tab).
Tip: If you're interested in sport, Wellington is a harbour city that is excellent for sailing, kayaking, surfing and diving. Never tried them? It's a great excuse to try!
Windy
Wellington is the windiest city in New Zealand, it's even nicknamed 'the windy city' or 'windy Wellington'. We suggest getting a good scarf for the winter months to keep your neck warm, and choosing a jacket with a good hood. If it's raining, Wellingtonians (people who live in Wellington) often don't use umbrellas because they don't work very well in the wind.
You're also likely to lose a hat, as it might blow away! Got long hair? Keep a hair tie in your pocket or on your wrist, so you can tie it up if it's difficult to see where you're walking!
And don't worry – it's not windy every day!
Get useful information and important updates to make your life easier while you're living and studying in New Zealand.
Useful Wellington websites
Here are a few suggestions to help you have a great experience and a safe time in Wellington.
Studying in Wellington(external link that opens in a new tab): Find information on study, activities and support for students in Wellington.
Discover Wellington(external link that opens in a new tab): Find events, festivals and great places to eat.
Wellington – Live(external link that opens in a new tab): This is a Facebook group you can join to get updates on what's happening in the city. You can expect to see traffic updates, safety alerts (for example, a street to avoid if there's flooding from a storm), local event listings and even some posts on where to see whales or dolphins if they're visiting us!
Wellington City Council(external link that opens in a new tab): Find out how local government works and important information to help you with daily life in Wellington. For example information on local parks, museums, libraries, recycling and the location of public toilets and other facilities. You can also follow the local council on Facebook(external link that opens in a new tab).
Metlink(external link that opens in a new tab): Learn how to get around Wellington and its surrounding suburbs on public transport. Find out which bus you need to catch and how to get a 'Snapper card(external link that opens in a new tab)' for cheaper travel.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa(external link that opens in a new tab): See history and the future in action! Te Papa has many different kinds of exhibitions that showcase art, technology, natural history, social history, earth science and more. It's also a great place to experience the stories of our indigenous peoples. Discover the Māori culture through contemporary artwork, spoken word and by visiting the onsite marae (Māori meeting house).
City Gallery Wellington | Te Whare Toi(external link that opens in a new tab): Check out some of the best Kiwi and international art in the heart of Wellington– for free.
History of Wellington(external link that opens in a new tab): Read about the history of the city you'll be living and studying in. Found a great fact? Quiz a local friend to see if they know the answer.
Wellington Regional Hospital(external link that opens in a new tab): If there's a medical emergency and your life or someone else's is in danger, go to the local hospital or phone 111 (this emergency number gives you access to police, fire and ambulance services). If it's not urgent, make a doctor's appointment or visit the Wellington After Hours Medical Centre(external link that opens in a new tab). 'After hours' means that the medical centre is open outside of normal working hours (8:30am to 5:30pm).
Get Prepared(external link that opens in a new tab): New Zealand is a very safe place but it's located on some fault lines which can cause earthquakes. Most of these are so small, you probably won't feel them! But it's a good idea to be prepared for a strong earthquake. You can find lots of great resources at the Get Prepared website, including an earthquake planning guide(external link that opens in a new tab) in 15 different languages!
Trade Me – Rooms in Wellington(external link that opens in a new tab): If you're not staying in a university hall of residence or a homestay, you might need to find a room to rent. You can try Trade Me to find a place to live. Make sure to check how far your new home is from important places, like your place of study or job (if you're working part time).
Wellington on a Plate (WOAP)(external link that opens in a new tab): Do you like burgers? Will you be in Wellington during August? Here's a food festival you'll love. It lasts for the whole month, so you'll have lots of time to try the interesting and unusual flavour combinations from local cafes and restaurants. This festival is very popular, so expect your favourite places to eat to get quite busy! We also recommend you attend one of the amazing events held during this festival. In the past they've had cake decorating and 'make your own gelato'.
The Vegan Vault(external link that opens in a new tab): On the first Saturday of each month, you can try delicious vegan and vegetarian treats and get tips on how to live more sustainably.
Explore street art in Wellington and the surrounding suburbs(external link that opens in a new tab): One of the best ways to get to know your city or town is to walk around it. In Wellington you're likely to see some cool street art and murals as you explore, so make sure to take your camera!
Related stories
Wellington Coffee Culture
I have a soft spot for quirky little cafes and good coffee, so falling in love with this city was easy.
Learning in Nature and the City
Cousins Diana and Sopanha Kham may come from different parts of the world, but they’ve both found Wellington the perfect place to live and study.
Building Global Connections in New Zealand
Linh Ta has had lots of opportunities to gain international connections since she began studying at Victoria University of Wellington.