You Are Not Alone - MATES Cafe Wellington NZ

​​MATES Cafe is a network of everyday people of all cultures and ethnicity (including teens, elders and lgbt+) who are trained to meet with a person in crisis or isolation at a local cafe, and provide emotional support and encouragement.​
​MATES Cafe will empower your life so you can in turn empower the lives of others in need.

MATES are here:

To help people of all ages, gender, culture, ethnicity and personal beliefs through the challenges and tough times of life including relationship breakdown, depression, anxiety, loss and grief, bullying, loneliness and isolation. MATES are trained to be there for someone in need and helping them through a point of crisis in their life. It's not about therapy, fixing or giving advice, just simply listening and helping them to find new direction in their life.

Wellington NZ - MATES Cafe Network

A Call-Out to ALL!
Can You Spare ONE Hour of Your Life to Save a Life?

MATES Cafe is purely about saving lives. Do you realise one person completes suicide every 13 hours in New Zealand because they are unable to stand the emotional trauma they are undergoing, often caused by relationship breakdown.

Every 4 minutes 1 New Zealander has suicidal thoughts and needs a MATE to turn to.

MATES need your help to drastically lower the suicide rate... are you with us?
Saving someones life can be to either:
  1. Help them navigate in a new direction, and potentially prevent them from killing themselves...
  2. Help them to find support and hope to move forward in rebuilding their new life...
  3. Help spare the pain and anguish of all those around them that will be affected for the rest of their lives, if they go through with it... spouses, ex-spouses, children, friends, friends of friends, workmates, colleagues, school friends many more...​
​

Wellington Region

MATES North Island Centres (Click Here)  /  MATES South Island Centres (Click Here)

Support Services in Wellington Region


LifeLine New Zealand (Last updated 06/06/2013)
LifeLine is here to listen to the unheard, to empower the caller to retake control of their situation, making callers aware of options rather than offering advice.

This provider offers a national helpline service.  
  • Availability: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Depression Helpline -  0800 111 757 (Last updated 23/02/2012)
The Depression Helpline and website are part of a national public health campaign called the National Depression Initiative. The website includes a self-test, resources, an interactive journal and links to other help services. The helpline is av...

This provider offers a national helpline service.  
  • Availability: Helpline is available 8am to midnight daily.
    Website is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Safer Wairarapa (Last updated 07/03/2013)
Safer Wairarapa has a wide range of government agencies and community organisations working collaboratively on agreed goals to promote a positive safety culture throughout the region. The 7 workstreams are Road Safety, Alcohol and Drug Education...

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • 1 Ballinger Place
  • Carterton
  • 5713

  • Availability: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: Referral may apply.

Skylight (Last updated 12/06/2013)
A national non-profit agency helping children and young people, and those supporting them, to deal with issues of change, loss and grief - whatever its cause.

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • 2a Green Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021

  • Availability: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Answerphone outside these times
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Lifeline - Wairarapa (Last updated 14/03/2013)
LifeLine is here to listen to the unheard, to empower the caller to retake control of their situation; making callers aware of options rather than offering advice.

 
  • Availability:
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Youthline Wellington (Last updated 24/12/2012)
Youthline Wellington offers a free, confidential, non-judgmental telephone, text and email counselling and information service to people in the Wellington and Greater Wellington areas.

 
  • Availability: 24/7 Youth Help and Counselling Line
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Samaritans of Wellington Inc (Last updated 08/04/2013)
A voluntary service providing a listening ear 24/7 to those who need someone to talk to. We offer callers a non judgmental, non religious sympathetic and confidential support whenever it is needed.

  • 10 Hill Street, Thorndon Wellington 6144

  • Availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Victim Support (Last updated 27/07/2012)
Victim support provides information, support and assistance to victims, witnesses, their families and friends. Victim Support also promotes victims' rights through raising public awareness and recognition of the effects of crime.

 
  • Availability: The Victim Support Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Victim Support - Wairarapa (Last updated 27/07/2012)
Victim support provides information, support and assistance to victims, witnesses, their families and friends. Victim Support also promotes victims' rights through raising public awareness and recognition of the effects of crime.

 
  • Availability: The Victim Support Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Women's Refuge - National Collective Of Independent Women's Refuges (Last updated 20/06/2013)
​Women's Refuges work to raise public awareness of violence against women and children, promoting the prevention and elimination of violence, and the rights of women and children to care and protection. For support, please ring our Crisis Line: 080...

  • 2nd Floor, CREO House, 57-59 Courtenay Place Wellington 6149

  • Availability: 9.00 am - 5.00pm Monday - Friday
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Victim Support - Kapiti (Last updated 27/07/2012)
Victim support provides information, support and assistance to victims, witnesses, their families and friends. Victim Support also promotes victims' rights through raising public awareness and recognition of the effects of crime.

 
  • Availability: The Victim Support Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Victim Support - Upper Hutt (Last updated 27/07/2012)
Victim support provides information, support and assistance to victims, witnesses, their families and friends. Victim Support also promotes victims' rights through raising public awareness and recognition of the effects of crime.

 
  • Availability: The Victim Support Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Victim Support - Porirua (Last updated 27/07/2012)
Victim support provides information, support and assistance to victims, witnesses, their families and friends. Victim Support also promotes victims' rights through raising public awareness and recognition of the effects of crime.

 
  • Availability: The Victim Support Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Victim Support - Lower Hutt (Last updated 27/07/2012)
Victim support provides information, support and assistance to victims, witnesses, their families and friends. Victim Support also promotes victims' rights through raising public awareness and recognition of the effects of crime.

 
  • Availability: The Victim Support Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Victim Support - Wellington (Last updated 27/07/2012)
Victim support provides information, support and assistance to victims, witnesses, their families and friends. Victim Support also promotes victims' rights through raising public awareness and recognition of the effects of crime.

 
  • Availability: The Victim Support Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Wairarapa Women's Refuge (Last updated 14/01/2013)
Women's Refuges work to raise public awareness of violence against women and children, promoting the prevention and elimination of violence, and the rights of women and children to care and protection. For support, please ring our Crisis Line: 080...

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • 2nd Floor Departmental Building, 33 Chapel Street Masterton 5810

  • Availability: Outreach service available. 24 hour crisis line  0800 733 843  REFUGE
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Hutt City Women's Refuge (Last updated 21/06/2013)
Women's Refuges work to raise public awareness of violence against women and children, promoting the prevention and elimination of violence, and the rights of women and children to care and protection. For support, please ring our Crisis Line: 080...

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • 32 Pretoria Street Lower Hutt 5010

  • Availability: 9am - 5pm Monday - Thursday. 24 hr Crisis Line  0800 733 843  REFUGE
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Kokiri Marae Maori Women's Refuge (Last updated 11/03/2013)
Women's Refuges work to raise public awareness of violence against women and children, promoting the prevention and elimination of violence, and the rights of women and children to care and protection. For support, please ring our Crisis Line: 080...

Approved Family Violence Provider  
  • Availability: 24 hour crisis line  0800 733 843  REFUGE
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Porirua Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation (Last updated 16/10/2012)
HELP offers a holistic and confidential service to support you on your healing journey, whether the abuse occurred years ago or recently. Our services are available to all survivors of rape and sexual abuse, their family, whanau and friends.

  • 46 Mungavin Avenue, Porirua, East Porirua 5024

  • Availability: Variable.
  • Charges: Koha/donation may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation (Last updated 16/10/2012)
HELP offers a holistic and confidential service to support you on your healing journey, whether the abuse occurred years ago or recently. Our services are available to all survivors of rape and sexual abuse, their family, whanau and friends.

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • Level 2, James Smith Building, 55 Cuba Street Central City Wellington

  • Availability: Office hours for general enquiries and counselling: Monday - Friday 9:00am-5:00pm . Phone Crisis support line operates 24 hours.
  • Charges: Koha/donation may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Wellington Women's Refuge (Last updated 14/12/2012)
Women's Refuges work to raise public awareness of violence against women and children, promoting the prevention and elimination of violence, and the rights of women and children to care and protection. For support, please ring our Crisis Line: 080...

Approved Family Violence Provider  
  • Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Kapiti Women's Refuge (Last updated 04/03/2013)
Women's Refuges work to raise public awareness of violence against women and children, promoting the prevention and elimination of violence, and the rights of women and children to care and protection. For support, please ring our Crisis Line: 080...

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • Office 1st Floor, Coastlands Shoppingtown, State Highway 1 Paraparaumu

  • Availability: 24 hour crisis line  0800 733 843  REFUGE 24hr Crisis  (029) 297 2595 
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Te Whare Rokiroki - Maori Women's Refuge (Last updated 24/04/2013)
Women's Refuges work to raise public awareness of violence against women and children, promoting the prevention and elimination of violence, and the rights of women and children to care and protection. For support, please ring our Crisis Line: 080...

  • 4th Floor Community House, 84 Willis Street Wellington

  • Availability: Community Office 9am to 5pm Crisis line support 24/7
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Te Whare Tiaki Wahine (Last updated 04/02/2013)
Women's Refuges work to raise public awareness of violence against women and children, promoting the prevention and elimination of violence, and the rights of women and children to care and protection. For support, please ring our Crisis Line: 080...

 
  • Availability: 24 hour crisisline  0800 733 843  REFUGE
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Whare Manaaki Inc (Last updated 04/03/2013)
Women's Refuges work to raise public awareness of violence against women and children, promoting the prevention and elimination of violence, and the rights of women and children to care and protection. For support, please ring our Crisis Line: 080...

 
  • Availability: 24 hour crisisline  0800 733 843  REFUGE
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

SHINE: Safer Homes In New Zealand Everyday Inc (Last updated 04/10/2012)
Shine (Safer Homes In New Zealand Everyday) is making homes violence free. Shine offers a free national Helpline and a number of innovative services that work to stop domestic abuse.

This provider offers a national helpline service. Approved Family Violence Provider
  • Ground Floor, 409 New North Road, Kingsland Auckland

  • Availability: Helpline ( 0508 744 633 ) is answered 9am - 11pm, 7 days a week .
    Our office hours are 8.30am - 5.00pm weekdays.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: Referral may apply.

Kapiti Living Without Violence (Last updated 07/05/2013)
We provide counselling, individual and group education services for men, women and youth to facilitate clients leading non-violent and non-abusive lifestyles by giving them the skills and strategies to do this.

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • 5 Sheffield Street, Paraparaumu

  • Availability: 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday with message service in place.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: Referral may apply.

The Sir Charles Burns Recovery Centre Trust (Inc) (Last updated 28/05/2013)
Safe and supportive residential environment for men, pre and post alcohol and drug treatment.

  • - Bradley Lane, Upper Hutt 5018

  • Availability: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Masterton Community Church (Last updated 30/05/2013)
To provide quality services and support to the community by encouraging and equipping individuals to strengthen the community they live in.

  • 117 Ngaumutawa Road, Masterton 5810

  • Availability: Office open 9.00am - 1.00pm Monday to Friday.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

New Zealand AIDS Foundation - Wellington (Last updated 05/09/2012)
The New Zealand AIDS Foundation was established to prevent the transmission of HIV and maximise the health and wellbeing of those living with HIV/AIDS.

  • Level 1, 187 Willis Street, Wellington 6011

  • Availability: 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Late night Wednesday until 7pm
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Birth Wise Wellington Inc. (Last updated 11/06/2010)
Birth Wise offers an antenatal programme and parenting support groups. Birth Wise promotes wellness in pregnancy, natural birth and holistic parenting by empowering women and men to make informed choices.

  • Trinity Union Church Hall, - Hall Avenue, Newtown Wellington

  • Availability:
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Gay Helpline (Last updated 06/08/2012)
Gay Wellington Helpline promotes the welfare of gay people, primarily in the Wellington region. The Gay Wellington Helpline is a project of the Wellington Gay Welfare Group and is operated by its members. The Gay Wellington Helpline is a telephone...

 
  • Availability: every Sunday - Wednesday night of the year from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
    A different person is rostered on each evening.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Porirua Living Without Violence - Te Noho Riri Kore (Last updated 07/02/2012)
We provide support and education programmes for women who have been or are living with family violence, group and individual behaviour change programmes for men. Tamariki/children's educational programmes to assist children work through the impac...

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • Level 2, Pember House, 16 Hagley Street, Porirua City

  • Availability: 8.30am - 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Alcoholics Anonymous - Wellington (Last updated 24/05/2013)
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desi...

  • 3rd floor Anvil House, 138-140 Wakefield Street, Wellington

  • Availability: Office Hours Mon - Fri 9am to 3pm 0800 number 24/7
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Te Whanau O Te Maungarongo Support Service (Last updated 25/09/2012)
To develop and enhance the well-being of Maori men, women, youth and children, whanau, extended whanau, groups and individuals in a way that acknowledges their needs and that will give them the opportunity to develop in responsible, beneficial and...

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • 8 Aglionby Street, Melling, Lower Hutt

  • Availability: 9am - 5pm. After hours call  027 246 3761 .
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.
    ​
Wellington Gay Welfare Group (Last updated 22/05/2013)
Wellington Gay Welfare Group - confidential telephone service providing information, support, referrals and counselling to people who are or think they might be gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual. Parents of the same can discuss their childre...

 
  • Availability: 7:30pm - 9:30pm, Sun - Wed.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Wellington Sexual Health Service (Last updated 27/03/2013)
Free sexual health services, STI assessment and treatment, provided by specialist physicians, GPs, sexual health nurses and counsellors.

  • Cuba Street Clinic, Terralink House, 275 Cuba Street, Te Aro Wellington 6011

  • Availability: Mon 9am-4.00pm Tues 9am-7pm Thurs 9am-4.00pm Fri 9am-4.00pm
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

National Network of Stopping Violence Services (Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga)
(Last updated 12/06/2013)
National Organisation of agencies that offer Stopping Violence Programmes for Men, support and education programmes for women, and sex offender treatment programmes.

  • Level 5, Outwide House, 61-63 Taranaki Street, Wellington 6011

  • Availability: 9.00am - 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Stopping Violence Services Wairarapa (Last updated 25/03/2013)
Provides programmes, counselling and information for people seeking to end their own violence and or abuse as well as for victims of violence as well as .

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • Level 3, Departmental Building, 31 Chapel Street, Masterton

  • Availability: Monday - Friday 9a.m.-5p.m. Voicemail and email cleared daily
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Family Works Central Office (Last updated 01/05/2013)
Family Works services is about empowering communities, families/whanau to help themselves as they face the inevitable challenges of family life, and working in partnership with them so they can flourish to reach their full potential.

  • 3-5 George Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

  • Availability: Monday-Friday 9-5
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Alcoholics Anonymous (Last updated 14/05/2013)
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desi...

 
  • Availability: Helpline available 24 hours
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

T.D. Partners (Last updated 30/11/2012)
Partnership is staffed by two experienced male counsellors. Counselling families, men & boys. Offers Living Without Violence programmes approved by the Ministry of Justice. Anger management programmes.

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • 156 Wellington Road, Paekakariki

  • Availability: Tue - Fri 8.00am - 6.00pm.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Post and Ante-Natal Distress Support Group (Last updated 29/10/2012)
To provide support, education and information to women with post or ante-natal distress and their families. To provide community education on post natal distress (PND).

 
  • Availability: Telecom message service operates from 9.00am - 9.00pm, Monday to Sunday. 365 days a year. We aim to get back within 24-48 hours.
  • Charges: Koha/donation may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Rimutaka Baptist Church (Last updated 22/02/2013)
Services for the community.

  • 6 Akatarawa Road, Brown Owl, Upper Hutt

  • Availability: 9am - 5pm Tues-Friday
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.
    ​
Overeaters Anonymous - Wellington Intergroup (Last updated 26/10/2012)
Is food a problem for you? Overeaters Anonymous is a twelve-step programme for men and women who support each other in solving their common problem of compulsive eating including anorexia, bulimia, obesity and overeating.

 
  • Availability: Please contact us for meeting times and locations.
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

DIY Father Limited (Last updated (06/09/2012) 
To contribute to Fathers being the best they can be.

  • 98 Yule Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington

  • Availability: Contactable via email anytime Normal business hours applies for phone contact
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Te Nikau Addiction Centre (Last updated 18/01/2013) 
Working with addictive/compulsive behaviours of various kinds and family affected by addictions (including alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, sex, pornography, work etc.)

  • 69 Valley Road, Paraparaumu

  • Availability: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Folau Alofa Charitable Trust (Last updated 15/05/2013)
Empowering Pacific People to live safe and happy lives.

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • 34 Beach Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5046

  • Availability: 9.00am - 4.00pm, Monday to Friday
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Pacific Addiction and General Counselling Services (Last updated 30/10/2012)
To provide counselling, education and other appropriate support to our communities on social and cultural issues. To provide support groups for Pacific people on relationship problems, alcohol and reoffending, family violence, minor mental health ...

  • 201 Warspite Avenue, Waitangirua, Porirua 5024

  • Availability: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm except on Public Holidays
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: Referral may apply.

SPACE NZ Trust (Last updated 09/04/2013)
The SPACE NZ Trust is a not for profit organisation. We are the governing body for the Supporting Parents Alongside Children's Education (SPACE) programme. At SPACE NZ Trust we value family/whānau, parents & babies as the heart of a strong, healt...

  • 46 Bloomfield Terrace, Lower Hutt

  • Availability: Monday - Friday, 8.30 am - 5.30pm
  • Charges: Koha/donation may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Hutt Rape Counselling Network (Sexual Abuse Healing Centre)(Last updated 23/08/2012)
Rape and Sexual Abuse Crisis Support, Medical Examinations, Advocacy and Counselling.

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • [email protected]
  •  (04) 566 5517 

  • Availability: 24 Hour Service
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Porirua Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation (Last updated 16/10/2012)
HELP offers a holistic and confidential service to support you on your healing journey, whether the abuse occurred years ago or recently. Our services are available to all survivors of rape and sexual abuse, their family, whanau and friends.

  • 46 Mungavin Avenue, Porirua East, Porirua 5024

  • Availability: Variable.
  • Charges: Koha/donation may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation (Last updated 16/10/2012)
HELP offers a holistic and confidential service to support you on your healing journey, whether the abuse occurred years ago or recently. Our services are available to all survivors of rape and sexual abuse, their family, whanau and friends.

Approved Family Violence Provider
  • Level 2, James Smith Building, 55 Cuba Street, Central City Wellington

  • Availability: Office hours for general enquiries and counselling: Monday - Friday 9:00am-5:00pm . Phone Two: Crisis support line operates 24 hours.
  • Charges: Koha/donation may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Otaki Women's Health Group (Last updated 03/09/2012)
To provide health and social services to the Otaki community and to manage the facility known as Otaki Community Health Centre.

  • Otaki Community Health Centre, 186 Mill Road, Otaki 5512

  • Availability: 9.00 am to 3.00 pm Monday to Friday.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.
    ​
Te Ara Korowai Inc. (Last updated 22/03/2013)
Mission: To empower mental health consumers by providing information, advocacy and support. Vision: To assist consumers to take charge of and manage their mental wellness. We look forward to promoting a healthy attitude to consumers within the...

  • 1 Weka Rd, Raumati Beach 5032

  • Availability: 09.30 am to 3.30 pm Monday to Thursday
  • Charges: All services free of charge.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Taeaomanino Trust (Last updated 03/09/2012)
Taeaomanino Trust provides social support service to Pacific people, families and groups within Porirua City.

  • Waiora Villa 2, Lower Main Drive, 2 Hassell Road, Porirua City

  • Availability: Office hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: No referral required.

Salvation Army - Kapiti Corps (Last updated 18/03/2013)
As a church we offer various services to the community including: Sunday service, weekly and monthly programmes with access to national programmes when necessary. Office hours 9.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

  • Salvation Army Hall, 41 Bluegum Road, Paraparaumu

  • Availability: 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.
  • Charges: Some charges may apply.
  • Referrals: Referral may apply.
​

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Wellington Statistical Data


​Number of people counted:

Total population
  • 448,956 people usually live in Wellington Region. This is an increase of 25,191 people, or 5.9 percent, since the 2001 Census.
  • Its population ranks 3rd in size out of the 16 regions in New Zealand.
  • Wellington Region has 11.1 percent of New Zealand's population.

Population of Wellington Region and New Zealand
(2006 Census  Region/City/District New Zealand)
  • Male  217,653  1,965,618
  • Female  231,303  2,062,329
  • Total  448,956  4,027,947

Māori ethnic population
  • 55,434 Māori usually live in Wellington Region, an increase of 4,314 people, or 8.4 percent, since the 2001 Census.
  • Its Māori population ranks 4th in size out of the 16 regions in New Zealand.
  • 9.8 percent of New Zealand's Māori population usually live in Wellington Region. 

Māori Population of Wellington Region and New Zealand, 2006 Census  Region/City/District New Zealand
  • Male  26,742  274,860
  • Female  28,692  290,469
  • Total  55,437  565,326

Note: The Māori ethnic population is the count for people of the Māori ethnic group. It includes those people who stated Māori as being either their sole ethnic group or one of several ethnic groups.

Number of dwellings counted:
  • There are 169,344 occupied dwellings and 13,095 unoccupied dwellings in Wellington Region.
  • For New Zealand as a whole, there are 1,478,709 occupied dwellings and 159,273 unoccupied dwellings.
  • There are 1,188 dwellings under construction in Wellington Region, compared with 13,560 under construction throughout New Zealand.

Dwellings in Wellington Region and New Zealand, 2006 Census Dwelling status       Region/City/District New Zealand
  • Occupied Private dwelling  168,849  1,471,746    
  • Non-private dwelling  495  6,963    
  • Total  169,344  1,478,709
  • Unoccupied  13,095  159,273
  • Under construction  1,188  13,560
  • Total  183,627  1,651,542

Note: This data has been randomly rounded to protect confidentiality. Individual figures may not add up to totals, and values for the same data may vary in different text, tables and graphs. 
​

Wellington Region Historic & General Info


​Wellington ( /ˈwɛlɪŋtən/) is the capital city and second most populous urban area of New Zealand. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It is home to 393,400 residents.

Importance: Wellington is New Zealand's political centre, housing Parliament, the head offices of all Government Ministries and Departments and the bulk of the foreign diplomatic missions in New Zealand.

New Zealand's capital The historic former High Court building, since restored to become the Supreme Court of New Zealand 360° panorama of the old Government Buildings In 1865, Wellington became the capital city of New Zealand, replacing Auckland, where William Hobson had placed the capital in 1841. The Parliament of New Zealand had first met in Wellington on 7 July 1862, on a temporary basis, but Wellington did not become the official capital city for three more years. 

In November 1863, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Alfred Domett, places a resolution before Parliament (meeting in Auckland) that "... it has become necessary that the seat of government ... should be transferred to some suitable locality in Cook Strait [region]." Apparently, there had been some concerns that the more highly populated South Island (where the goldfields were located) would choose to form a separate colony in the British Empire. 

​Several Commissioners invited from Australia (chosen for their neutral status to help resolve the question) declared that Wellington was a suitable location because of its central location in New Zealand and good harbour. Parliament officially met in Wellington for the first time on 26 July 1865. At that time, the population of Wellington was just 4,900.[14]

The Wellington urban area is the major population centre of the southern North Island, and is the seat of the Wellington Region – which in addition to the urban area covers the Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa.

The urban area includes four cities: Wellington, on the peninsula between Cook Strait and Wellington Harbour, contains the central business district and about half of Wellington's population; Porirua on Porirua Harbour to the north is notable for its large Māori and Pacific Island communities; Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt are largely suburban areas to the northeast, together known as the Hutt Valley. Wellington also holds the distinction of being the world's most southerly capital city.

In 2008, Wellington was classified as a Gamma World City in the World Cities Study Group’s inventory by Loughborough University.[4] The 2010 Mercer Quality of Living Survey ranked Wellington 12th in the world.[5] In 2011 Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2011 named Wellington as fourth in its Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2011, referring to the New Zealand capital as the "coolest little capital in the world".[6]

Wellington was named after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and victor of the Battle of Waterloo. The Duke's title comes from the town of Wellington in the English county of Somerset.

In Māori, Wellington goes by three names. Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara refers to Wellington Harbour and means "the great harbour of Tara".[7] Pōneke is a transliteration of Port Nick, short for Port Nicholson (the city's central marae, the community supporting it and its kapa haka have the pseudo-tribal name of Ngāti Pōneke).[8] Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui, meaning The Head of the Fish of Māui (often shortened to Te Upoko-o-te-Ika), a traditional name for the southernmost part of the North Island, derives from the legend of the fishing up of the island by the demi-god Māui.

Wellington's compact city centre supports an arts scene, café culture and nightlife much larger than many cities of a similar size. It is an important centre of New Zealand's film and theatre industry, and second to Auckland in terms of numbers of screen industry businesses.[9] Te Papa Tongarewa (the Museum of New Zealand), the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Museum of Wellington City & Sea and the biennial New Zealand International Arts Festival are all sited there.

Wellington had the 12th best quality of living in the world in 2009,[10] a ranking holding steady from 2007, according to a 2007 study by consulting company Mercer. Of cities with English as the primary language, Wellington ranked fourth in 2007.[11] Of cities in the Asia Pacific region, Wellington ranked third (2009) behind Auckland and Sydney, Australia.[10]

Wellington became much more affordable, in terms of cost of living relative to cities worldwide, with its ranking moving from 93rd (more expensive) to 139th (less expensive) in 2009, probably as a result of currency fluctuations during the global economic downturn from March 2008 to March 2009.[12] "Foreigners get more bang for their buck in Wellington, which is among the cheapest cities in the world to live", according to a 2009 article, which reported that currency fluctuations make New Zealand cities affordable for multi-national firms to do business, and elaborated that "New Zealand cities were now more affordable for expatriates and were competitive places for overseas companies to develop business links and send employees".

[13] Lonely Planet named Wellington 'the coolest little capital in the world' in its 'Best In Travel 2011' guide book.

Settlement see also: New Zealand Company Legends recount that Kupe discovered and explored the district in about the tenth century.

"The Old Shebang" on Cuba Street, c. 1883 European settlement began with the arrival of an advance party of the New Zealand Company on the ship Tory, on 20 September 1839, followed by 150 settlers on the Aurora on 22 January 1840. The settlers constructed their first homes at Petone (which they called Britannia for a time) on the flat area at the mouth of the Hutt River. When that proved swampy and flood-prone they transplanted the plans, which had been drawn without regard for the hilly terrain.


As the national capital, Wellington is the location of the highest court of New Zealand, the Supreme Court. The historic former High Court building has been enlarged and restored for the use of the Supreme Court.

Government House, the official residence of the Governor-General, is in Newtown, opposite the Basin Reserve. Premier House, the official residence of the Prime Minister, is in Pipitea on Tinakori Road.

Geography The Wellington Urban Area (pink) is administered by four city councils Wellington is at the south-western tip of the North Island on Cook Strait, the passage that separates the North and South Islands. On a clear day the snowcapped Kaikoura Ranges are visible to the south across the strait. To the north stretch the golden beaches of the Kapiti Coast. On the east the Rimutaka Range divides Wellington from the broad plains of the Wairarapa, a wine region of national notability.

With a latitude of 41° 17' South, Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the world.[15] Wellington is also the most remote capital city in the world, the farthest away from any other capital city. Wellington is more densely populated than most other cities in New Zealand due to the restricted amount of land that is available between its harbour and the surrounding ranges of hills. Wellington has very few open areas in which to expand, and this has brought about the development of the suburban towns in the greater urban area. Because of its location in the latitudes of the Roaring Forties, and also its exposure to the winds blowing through the Cook Strait, Wellington is known to New Zealanders as "Windy Wellington".

More than most cities, life in Wellington is dominated by its central business district (CBD). Approximately 62,000 people work in the CBD, only 4,000 fewer than work in Auckland's CBD, despite that city having three times Wellington's population. Wellington's cultural and nightlife venues concentrate in Courtenay Place and surroundings located in the southern part of the CBD, making the nearby suburb of Te Aro the largest entertainment destination in New Zealand.

Wellington has a median income well above the average in New Zealand,[16] with Wellington having the highest median income of all New Zealand cities.[17] Wellington additionally has a much higher proportion of people with tertiary qualifications than the national average.[18] Wellington has a reputation for its picturesque natural harbour and green hillsides adorned with tiered suburbs of colonial villas. The CBD is sited close to Lambton Harbour, an arm of Wellington Harbour. Wellington Harbour lies along an active geological fault, which is clearly evident on its straight western shore. The land to the west of this rises abruptly, meaning that many of Wellington's suburbs sit high above the centre of the city.


There is a network of bush walks and reserves maintained by the Wellington City Council and local volunteers. These include Otari-Wilton's Bush dedicated solely to the protection and propagation of New Zealand native plants. The Wellington region has 500 square kilometres (190 sq mi) of regional parks and forests.

In the east is the Miramar Peninsula, connected to the rest of the city by a low-lying isthmus at Rongotai, the site of Wellington International Airport. The narrow entrance to Wellington is directly to the east of the Miramar Peninsula, and contains the dangerous shallows of Barrett Reef, where many ships have been wrecked (most famously the inter-island ferry Wahine in 1968).[19]

On the hill west of the city centre are Victoria University and the Wellington Botanic Garden. Both of these can be reached by a funicular railway, the Wellington Cable Car.

Wellington Harbour has three islands: Matiu/Somes Island, Makaro/Ward Island and Mokopuna Island. Only Matiu/Somes Island is large enough for habitation. It has been used as a quarantine station for people and animals, and as an internment camp during World War I and World War II. This island is now a conservation island, providing refuge for endangered species, much like Kapiti Island farther up the coast. There is access during daylight hours by the Dominion Post Ferry.

Wellington's suburbs The urban area of Wellington stretches across the areas administered by Wellington, Hutt (covering Lower Hutt), Upper Hutt and Porirua City Councils. See Wellington City for a list of suburbs. See Hutt City for a list of Lower Hutt suburbs. See Porirua City for a list of suburbs. See Kapiti Coast (district), New Zealand for a list of suburbs.

Population The four cities have a total population of 397,300 (June 2011 estimate),[3] and the Wellington urban area contains 99% of that population. The remaining areas are largely mountainous and sparsely farmed or parkland and are outside the urban area boundary.

Another major population area is the Kapiti Coast area, north of Porirua City and including the towns of Paraparaumu,Waikanae and Otaki. The population of the Kapiti Coast is 49800. The beach and garden zones of these townships attract life-stylers and retired people: 24.6% are aged 65+ as at June 2011 estimates: See Waikanae River and Otaki Beach.

The 2011 Census was cancelled as it was due to take place just after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake . The next census is expected to take place in 2013

Counts from the 2006 census gave totals by area, sex, and age. Wellington had the largest population of the four city council areas with 179,466 people, followed by Lower Hutt, Porirua and Upper Hutt. Women outnumber men in all four areas, according to data from Statistics New Zealand, particularly in the Wellington City area.[20]

Population density in Wellington region (2008) based on census data Wellington population by city and sex (2006 Census) City Total Men Women Wellington 179,466 86,932 92,532 Lower Hutt 97,701 47,703 49,998 Upper Hutt 38,415 19,088 19,317 Porirua 48,546 23,634 24,912 Total four cities 364,128 177,369 186,759 Source:Statistics New Zealand (2006 Census)[20]

Age distribution Age distributions for the four cities are given (see table below). Overall, Wellington's age structure closely matches the national distribution. The relative lack of older people in Wellington is less marked when the neighbouring Kapiti Coast District is included. Nearly 7% of Kapiti Coast residents are over 80.

Wellington area – age distribution by city City Under 20 20–39 40–59 60–79 80 and over Wellington 25% 37% 26% 10% 2% Lower Hutt 30% 27% 27% 12% 3% Upper Hutt 30% 25% 28% 14% 3% Porirua 34% 27% 26% 10% 1% Total four cities 28% 32% 27% 11% 2% New Zealand 29% 27% 27% 14% 3% Source:Statistics New Zealand (2006 Census)[21]

Climate The city averages 2025 hours (or about 169 days) of sunshine per year.[22] The climate is a temperate marine one, is generally moderate all year round, and rarely sees temperatures rise above 25 °C (77 °F), or fall below 4 °C (39 °F). The hottest recorded temperature in the city is 31.1 °C (88 °F), while −1.9 °C (28 °F) is the coldest. The city is notorious however for its southerly blasts in winter, which may make the temperature feel much colder. The city is generally very windy all year round with high rainfall; average annual rainfall is 1249 mm, June and July being the wettest months. Frosts are quite common in the hill suburbs and the Hutt Valley between May and September. Snow is very rare, although snow fell on the city and many other parts of the Wellington region in July and August 2011.[23][24]

Earthquakes See also: Earthquakes in New Zealand New Zealand government "Beehive" and the Parliament Buildings Wellington suffered serious damage in a series of earthquakes in 1848[26] and from another earthquake in 1855. The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake occurred on a fault to the north and east of Wellington. It ranks as probably the most powerful earthquake in recorded New Zealand history,[27] with an estimated magnitude of at least 8.2 on the Moment magnitude scale. It caused vertical movements of two to three metres over a large area, including raising an area of land out of the harbour and turning it into a tidal swamp. Much of this land was subsequently reclaimed and is now part of Wellington's central business district. For this reason the street named Lambton Quay is now 100 to 200 metres (325 to 650 ft) from the harbour. Plaques set into the footpath along Lambton Quay mark the shoreline in 1840 and indicate the extent of the uplift and reclamation.

The area has high seismic activity even by New Zealand standards, with a major fault line running through the centre of the city, and several others nearby. Several hundred more minor fault lines have been identified within the urban area. The inhabitants, particularly those in high-rise buildings, typically notice several earthquakes every year. For many years after the 1855 earthquake, the majority of buildings constructed in Wellington were made entirely from wood.

The 1996-restored Government Buildings,[28] near Parliament is the largest wooden office building in the Southern Hemisphere. While masonry and structural steel have subsequently been used in building construction, especially for office buildings, timber framing remains the primary structural component of almost all residential construction. Residents also place their hopes of survival in good building regulations, which gradually became more stringent in the course of the twentieth century.

Architecture Night harbour view Te Aro Park in downtown Wellington Wellington showcases a variety of architectural styles from the past 150 years – 19th century wooden cottages, such as the Italianate Katherine Mansfield Birthplace in Thorndon, some streamlined Art Deco structures such as the old Wellington Free Ambulance headquarters, the Central Fire Station, Fountain Court Apartments, the City Gallery, and the former Post and Telegraph Building, as well as the curves and vibrant colours of post-modern architecture in the CBD.

The oldest building in Wellington is the 1858 Colonial Cottage in Mount Cook.[29] The tallest building in the city is the Majestic Centre on Willis Street at 116 metres high,[30] the second tallest being the structural expressionist State Insurance Building at 103 metres.[31] Futuna Chapel in Karori was the first bicultural building in New Zealand, and is thus considered one of the most significant New Zealand buildings of the twentieth century.

The Bucket Fountain, Cuba Street; erected in 1969 Old St Paul's is an example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture adapted to colonial conditions and materials, as is St Mary of the Angels. The Museum of Wellington City & Sea building, the Bond Store, is in the Second French Empire style, and the Wellington Harbour Board Wharf Office Building is in a late English Classical style. There are several restored theatre buildings: the St James Theatre, the Opera House and the Embassy Theatre.

Civic Square is surrounded by the Town Hall and council offices, the Michael Fowler Centre, the Wellington Central Library, Capital E (home of the National Theatre for Children), the City-to-Sea Bridge, and the City Gallery.

As it is the capital city, there are many notable government buildings in Wellington. The circular-conical Executive Wing of New Zealand Parliament Buildings, on the corner of Lambton Quay and Molesworth Street, was constructed between 1969 and 1981 and is commonly referred to as the Beehive. Across the road from the Beehive is the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere,[32] part of the old Government Buildings which now houses part of Victoria University of Wellington's Law Faculty.

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is on the waterfront.

Other notable buildings include Wellington Town Hall, Wellington Railway Station, Dominion Museum (now Massey University), State Insurance Building, Westpac Stadium, and Wellington Airport at Rongotai. Leading Wellington architects include Frederick Thatcher, Frederick de Jersey Clere, W. Gray Young, Bill Alington, Ian Athfield, Roger Walker and Pynenburg and Collins.

Wellington contains many iconic sculptures and structures such as the Bucket Fountain in Cuba Street and Invisible City by Anton Parsons on Lambton Quay. Recently a number of new kinetic sculptures have been commissioned, such as the Zephyrometer.[33] This giant 26-metre orange spike built for movement by artist Phil Price has been described as "tall, soaring and elegantly simple" and which "reflects the swaying of the yacht masts in the Evans Bay Marina behind it" and "moves like the needle on the dial of a nautical instrument, measuring the speed of the sea or wind or vessel."[34]

Housing and real estate Apartments at Oriental Bay Wellington experienced a real estate boom in the early 2000s and the effects of the international property bust at the start of 2007. In 2005, the market was described as "robust".[35] But by 2008, property values had declined by about 9.3% over a 12-month period, according to one estimate. More expensive properties declined more steeply in price, sometimes by as much as 20%.[36] "From 2004 to early 2007, rental yields were eroded and positive cash flow property investments disappeared as house values climbed faster than rents. Then that trend reversed and yields slowly began improving," according to two New Zealand Herald reporters writing in May 2009.[37] In the middle of 2009, house prices had dropped, interest rates were low, and buy-to-let property investment was again looking attractive, particularly in the Lambton precinct, according to these two reporters.[37]

A Wellington City Council survey conducted in March 2009 found the typical central city apartment dweller was a New Zealand native aged 24 to 35 with a professional job in the downtown area, with household income higher than surrounding areas. Three quarters (73%) walked to work or university, 13% travelled by car, 6% by bus, 2% bicycled (although 31% own bicycles), and did not travel very that far since most (73%) worked or studied in the central city. The large majority (88%) did not have children in their apartments; 39% were couples without children; 32% were single-person households; 15% were groups of people flatting together. Most (56%) owned their apartment; 42% rented (of renters, 16% paid $351 to $450 per week, 13% paid less and 15% paid more – only 3% paid more than $651 per week). The report continued: "The four most important reasons for living in an apartment were given as lifestyle and city living (23%), close to work (20%), close to shops and cafes (11%) and low maintenance (11%) ... City noise and noise from neighbours were the main turnoffs for apartment dwellers (27%), followed by a lack of outdoor space (17%), living close to neighbours (9%) and apartment size and a lack of storage space (8%)."[38]

Wellington households are primarily one-family, making up two thirds (67%) of households, followed by single-person households (25%); there were fewer multiperson households and even fewer households containing two or more families. These counts are from the 2006 census and pertain to the Wellington region (which includes the surrounding area in addition to the four cities).[39]

Tourism Wellington is marketed as the 'coolest little capital in the world' by Positively Wellington Tourism, an award-winning regional tourism organisation[40] set up as a council controlled organisation by Wellington City Council in 1997.[41] The organisation’s council funding comes through the Downtown Levy commercial rate.[42]

In the decade to 2010, the city saw growth of over 60% in commercial guest nights. It has been promoted through a variety of campaigns and taglines, starting with the iconic Absolutely Positively Wellington advertisements.[43] The city’s long-term domestic marketing strategy was a finalist in the 2011 CAANZ Media Awards.[44]

Tourism is a major contributor to Wellington’s economy, injecting approximately $1.3 million into the region annually and accounting for 9% of total FTE employment.[45] The city is consistently named as New Zealanders’ favourite destination in the quarterly FlyBuys Colmar Brunton Mood of the Traveller survey[46]and it was fourth in Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2011’s Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2011.[6]

New Zealanders make up the city’s largest visitor market, with 3.6 million visits being made to Wellington each year. Kiwi visitors spend on average $2.4 million a day in the city.[47] The capital has approximately 540,000 international visitors each year, who spend 3.7 million nights and $436 million in the city each year. Wellington's largest international visitor market is Australia, with over 210,000 making the trip across the Tasman and spending a total of approximately $334 million annually.[48]

Cruise tourism to the capital is experiencing a major boom, in line with nationwide development. The 2010/11 season saw 125,000 passengers and crew visit the city on 60 liners. There are 80 vessels booked for stopovers in the 2011/12 season – estimated to inject more than $31 million into the region’s economy and representing a 74% increase in the space of two years.[49]

Wellington is a popular conference tourism destination due to its compact nature, cultural attractions, award-winning restaurants and access to government agencies. In the year ending March 2011, the city hosted 6495 conference events involving nearly 800,000 delegate days; this injected approximately $100 million into the economy.[50]

Popular tourist attractions include Wellington Zoo and Zealandia (Karori Wildlife Sanctuary).

Electric power The needs of the Wellington area for electric power are ever-increasing, along with its population, and one new source is the continually blowing wind. "Project West Wind" was granted resource consent for 66 wind turbines, which are estimated to be able to generate about 140 megawatts .[51] Meridian Energy's Project West Wind is a few kilometres west of Wellington's central business district, on Meridian's Quartz Hill and Terawhiti Station. Near "Project West Wind" is the proposed power project of "Mill Creek" in neighbouring suburbs, in the Ohariu Valley behind Johnsonville and the back of Porirua. It will be smaller than "Project West Wind", but its exact size is still to be determined.

​In April 2009, a $440 million wind farm was connected to the electric power distribution network, including twenty 111-metre-high wind turbines, and it was planned that by the end of 2009 there would be 62 wind turbines turbines there. Newer information is difficult to get. Those turbines would hypothetically be capable of generating enough electric power for about 70,000 houses.[52]

The location of Wellington is advantageous for its supply of electric power, and not just because of wind power. Since Wellington is in the North Island, it has ready access to the geothermal power that is abundant on that island. Also, Wellington is just across the Cook Strait from the South Island, it is close to the sources of abundant hydroelectric power that exist in that island. Excess electric power from the South Island is transmitted to the North Island via submarine cables laid across the bottom of the Cook Strait to the Wellington area and the rest of the North Island.

The strong winds of the Wellington area, while advantageous for wind farms, sometimes blow down power lines. In May 2009, one windstorm left about 2500 residents without electric power for a several hours.[53] In addition, lightning strikes and the need for occasional upgrades to the electric power system sometimes cause power outages.[54]

While electricity for Wellington is supplied by the national electric power network operated by Transpower New Zealand Limited,[55] Wellington's local power network is owned and managed by the Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, Ltd., which bought it in 2008.[56]

Arts and culture Museums and cultural institutions Te Papa ("Our Place"), the Museum of New Zealand. Wellington is home to Te Papa (the Museum of New Zealand), the National Library of New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Museum, Colonial Cottage, the New Zealand Cricket Museum, the Cable Car Museum, Old St Paul's, and the Wellington City Art Gallery.

Festivals Wellington has become home to myriad high-profile events and cultural celebrations, including the biennial New Zealand International Arts Festival, biennial Wellington Jazz Festival, biennial Capital E National Arts Festival for Children and major events such as Brancott Estate World of Wearable Art, Cuba Street Carnival, Visa Wellington On a Plate, New Zealand Fringe Festival, New Zealand International Comedy Festival (also hosted in Auckland), Summer City, The Wellington Folk Festival (in Wainuiomata), New Zealand Affordable Art Show, the New Zealand Sevens Weekend and Parade, Out in the Square, Vodafone Homegrown, the Couch Soup theatre festival, and numerous film festivals.

The annual children's Artsplash Festival brings together hundreds of students from across the Wellington region. The week-long festival includes music and dance performances and the presentation of visual arts.

Film Filmmakers Sir Peter Jackson, Sir Richard Taylor and a growing team of creative professionals have turned the eastern suburb of Miramar into a film-making, post-production and special effects infrastructure, giving rise to the moniker 'Wellywood'. Jackson's companies include Weta Workshop, Weta Digital, Camperdown Studios, post-production house Park Road Post, and Stone Street Studios near Wellington Airport.[57] Recent films shot partly or wholy in Wellington include the Lord of The Rings trilogy, King Kong and Avatar. Jackson described Wellington in this way: "Well, it's windy. But it's actually a lovely place, where you're pretty much surrounded by water and the bay. The city itself is quite small, but the surrounding areas are very reminiscent of the hills up in northern California, like Marin County near San Francisco and the Bay Area climate and some of the architecture. Kind of a cross between that and Hawaii."[58]

Sometime Wellington directors Jane Campion and Geoff Murphy have reached the world's screens with their independent spirit. Emerging Kiwi film-makers, like Robert Sarkies, Taika Waititi, Costa Botes and Jennifer Bush-Daumec,[59] are extending the Wellington-based lineage and cinematic scope. There are agencies to assist film-makers with such tasks as securing permits and scouting locations.[60]

Wellington has a large number of independent cinemas, including The Embassy, Paramount, The Empire, Penthouse, the Roxy and Light House, which participate in film festivals throughout the year. Wellington also has one of the country's highest turn-outs for the annual New Zealand International Film Festival.

Music The local music scene has produced bands such as The Warratahs, The Phoenix Foundation, Shihad, Beastwars, Fly My Pretties, Rhian Sheehan, Birchville Cat Motel, Black Boned Angel, Fat Freddy's Drop, The Black Seeds, Fur Patrol, Flight of the Conchords, Connan and the Mockasins, Rhombus and Module. The New Zealand School of Music was established in 2005 through a merger of the conservatory and theory programmes at Massey University and Victoria University of Wellington. New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Nevine String Quartet and Chamber Music New Zealand are based in Wellington. The city is also home to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Internationally renowned men's A Cappella chorus Vocal FX.

Theatre and the dramatic arts Wellington is home to Downstage Theatre, Bats Theatre, Circa Theatre, the National Maori Theatre company Taki Rua, National Dance & Drama School Toi Whakaari and the National Theatre for Children at Capital E in Civic Square.

Wellington is home to groups that perform Improvised Theatre and Improvisational comedy, including Wellington Improvisation Troupe (WIT), The Improvisors and youth group, Joe Improv. Te Whaea National Dance & Drama Centre, houses New Zealand's University-level school's of Dance and Drama, Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School & New Zealand School of Dance. These Brother & Sister Institutions are separately run entities that share the building's facilities.

St James' Theatre on Courtenay Place is a popular venue for artistic performances.

Dance Wellington is the home for the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand School of Dance.

Comedy Wellington has a small but thriving comedy scene, aided in recent years by the emergence of the Fringe Bar as the home for Wellington comedy. The venue hosts up to three nights of comedy every week, with a mix of stand-up, improv and sketch. The monthly El Jaguar Fiesta de Variety showcases a mix of music, singing, burlesque, and comedy.[61] Other venues which host comedy in Wellington include the San Francisco Bath House.

Many of New Zealand's prominent comedians have either come from Wellington or have got their start there, such as Ginette McDonald ("Lynn of Tawa"), Raybon Kan, Dai Henwood, Ben Hurley, Steve Wrigley, and, most famously, the Flight of the Conchords and the satirist John Clarke ("Fred Dagg"), who found even greater fame after he moved to Australia.

The comedy group Breaking the 5th Wall[62] operates out of Wellington and has regular shows around the city, performing a mix of sketches and semi-improvised theatre.

Wellington is also home to groups that perform improvised theatre and improvisational comedy, including Wellington Improvisation Troupe (WIT), The Improvisors and youth group Joe Improv.

Wellington also hosts shows in the annual New Zealand International Comedy Festival. The NZ International Comedy Fest 2010 featured over 250 local and international comedy acts and was a revolutionary first in incorporating an iPhone application for the Festival.[63]

Visual arts Art Ferns and Civic Square From 1936 to 1992 Wellington was home to the National Art Gallery of New Zealand, when it was amalgamated into Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Wellington is also home to the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts and the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. The city's arts centre, Toi Poneke, is a nexus of creative projects, collaborations, and multi-disciplinary production. Arts Programmes and Services Manager Eric Vaughn Holowacz and a small team based in the Abel Smith Street facility have produced ambitious initiatives such as Opening Notes, Drive by Art, and public art projects. The city is home to experimental arts publication White Fungus. The Learning Connexion provides art classes. Other visual art galleries include the City Gallery.

Writing Poet Bill Manhire, director of the International Institute of Modern Letters, has turned the Creative Writing Programme at Victoria University of Wellington into a forge of new literary activity.

Cuisine Wellington's café culture is prominent. The city has more cafes per capita than New York City.[64] Restaurants are either licensed to sell alcohol, BYO (bring your own), or unlicensed (no alcohol); many let you bring your own wine.[65] Restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including from Europe, Asia and Polynesia. "For dishes that have a distinctly New Zealand style, there are lamb, pork and cervena (venison), salmon, crayfish (lobster), Bluff oysters, pāua (abalone), mussels, scallops, pipis and tuatua (both New Zealand shellfish); kumara (sweet potato); kiwifruit and tamarillo; and pavlova, the national dessert," recommends one tourism website.[66]

Sport Westpac Stadium Wellington is the home to:

 Sporting events hosted in Wellington include:

 Education Wellington offers a variety of college and university programs for students.

Victoria University Victoria University of Wellington has four campuses and works with a three trimester system (beginning March, July, and November).[67] It enrolled 21,380 students in 2008; of these, 16,609 were full-time students. Of all students, 56% were female and 44% male. While the student body was primarily New Zealanders of European descent, 1,713 were Maori, 1,024 were Pacific students, 2,765 were international students. 5,751 degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded. The school has 1,930 full-time employees.[68]

Massey University has a Wellington campus known as the "creative campus" and offers programs in communication and business, engineering and technology, health and well-being, and creative arts. Its school of design was established in 1886, and has research centres for studying public health, sleep, Maori health, small & medium enterprises, disasters, and tertiary teaching excellence.[69] It combined with Victoria University of Wellington to create the New Zealand School of Music.[69]

The University of Otago has a Wellington branch with its Wellington School of Medicine and Health.

In addition, there is Whitireia New Zealand which has large campuses in Porirua, Wellington and Kapiti; the Wellington Institute of Technology and New Zealand's National Drama school, Toi Whakaari. For further information, see List of universities in New Zealand.

The Wellington area has numerous primary and secondary schools. See List of schools in the Wellington Region for more information.

Transport See also: Public transport in Wellington and List of bus routes in Wellington A view from Wadestown of the rail yard looking southwest Wellington is served to the north by State Highway 1 in the west and State Highway 2 in the east, meeting at the Ngauranga Interchange north of the city centre, where SH 1 runs through the city to the airport. Road access into the capital is lower in grade than most other cities in New Zealand – between Wellington and the Kapiti Coast, SH 1 travels along the Centennial Highway, a narrow accident-prone section of road, and between Wellington and Wairarapa, SH 2 transverses the Rimutaka Ranges on a similar narrow accident-prone road. Wellington has two short motorways, both part of SH 1: the Johnsonville–Porirua Motorway and the Wellington Urban Motorway, which in combination with a small non-motorway section in the Ngauranga Gorge connect Porirua with Wellington City.

New Matangi electric multiple unit Commuting patterns in the Wellington region during 2006; darker red lines indicate greater traffic. Source: Statistics New Zealand.[70] Bus transport in Wellington is supplied by several different operators under the banner of Metlink. Buses serve almost every part of Wellington City, with most of them running along the "Golden Mile" from Wellington Railway Station to Courtenay Place. Most of the buses run on diesel, but nine routes use trolleybuses – the only remaining public system in Oceania.

Two of Tranz Metro's EM class electric multiple units working a southbound morning service on the Hutt Valley Line. Wellington is the only New Zealand city with electric suburban trains. Wellington lies at the southern end of the North Island Main Trunk Railway (NIMT) and the Wairarapa Line, converging on Wellington Railway Station at the northern end of central Wellington. Two long-distance services leave from Wellington: the Capital Connection, for commuters from Palmerston North, and The Overlander to Auckland. During 2006, there was serious discussion to withdraw the Overlander because of lack of passengers; a railway spokesperson said the number of passengers was so low that "we could not justify keeping it going".[71] In September 2006, however, the then operator announced there would be continued service but on a reduced basis (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the off-peak winter season, and daily in the peak summer and Easter period).[72][73][74]

Four electrified suburban lines radiate to the outer suburbs – the Johnsonville Line north to the northern suburbs, ending at Johnsonville; the Kapiti Line along the NIMT to Porirua and to Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast; the Melling Line to Lower Hutt via Petone, and the Hutt Valley Line along the Wairarapa Line via Waterloo and Taita to Upper Hutt. A diesel-hauled carriage service, the Wairarapa Connection, connects several times daily to Masterton in the Wairarapa via the 8.8-kilometre (5.5 mi) long Rimutaka Tunnel.

Wellington is the northern terminus of Cook Strait ferries to Picton in the South Island, provided by state-owned Interislander and private Bluebridge. Local ferries connect Wellington city centre with Eastbourne, Seatoun and Petone.

Wellington International Airport is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south-east of the city. It is serviced by flights from across New Zealand, and to Australia and the Pacific Islands. Flights to other international destinations require a transfer at another airport, as larger aircraft cannot use Wellington's short (1,936-metre / 6,352 ft) runway. The airport is the base for Wellington Aero Club, a private not-for-profit aeronautical flight school.[75][76]

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