The
capital of
New Zealand (the world’s most southerly capital), located at the southern tip of the North Island, enjoys a
beautiful natural setting, nestled as it is between a beautiful harbor and rolling green hills.
The Polynesian explorer
Kupe is credited with the initial discovery of
Wellington Harbour, which he named Te Whanganui a Tara (the Great Harbour of Tara) after his son. From Maori tradition, it is estimated he arrived with his followers around the
10th century, and people have lived here since Kupe’s discovery.
This
dynamic city is not only the
political capital of the country, but also (as most Wellingtonians will proudly tell you) its
arts and
culture capital, and here you will discover the country’s heritage, which is present everywhere, from the many historic buildings downtown to the Parliament Buildings themselves to
Te Papa, the
national museum, one of the jewels in New Zealand’s crown and one that dominates the city’s skyline on the waterfront.
Add to this
good shopping, plenty of
cafes and
restaurants (Wellington is fast becoming a
gourmet Mecca), plenty of
festivals and events throughout the year, and you have a city that’s a destination in its own right.
Small in size, but bursting with attractions, Wellington, is an ideal destination any time of year. The city has a reputation for being
windy (it is after all the only capital in the ‘Roaring Forties’ latitudes), but it enjoys more than
2,060 hours of
sunshine per year. The warmest months are in summer (January to March).
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Wellington Content
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related New Zealand Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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