Overview Wellington is the (compact) capital city of New Zealand, and is actually the southernmost capital city in the world. It's located on the southern tip of the North Island of New Zealand.
Because of the strong winds that commonly can be found occurring in Wellington, this city's nickname is the "Windy City."
Wellington is a historic city. European settlement of this area began in 1839. It's believed that the Kupe, the original Polynesian inhabitants of the area (referenced in Māori mythology), first discovered this area of the island during the 10th century.
There is a ton of dining options in New Zealand, as well as a huge number of cafes (relative to the city's size).
Destinations
Wellington is included on several Australia & New Zealand cruise itineraries.
Cruise Lines Departing Here
Wellington is not a cruise departure port.
Currency The official currency of New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Using a credit card whenever possible is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency. ATM machines are available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using.
Language The official languages of New Zealand are English and Māori (which is actually only spoken by a small minority in the population). Samoan is a non-official language spoken by an even smaller minority.
Tourist Attractions There's quite a bit to do within the fairly compact city centre of Wellington. The nightlife is quite good and there is a nice arts scene there as well. There are also a ton of cafes within this city. Within this area are various attractions, such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Te Papa Tongarewa (the Museum of New Zealand, where some of the most precious treasures of New Zealand are housed).
The Wellington Cable Car is a railway in Wellington that carries passengers between the main shopping street (Lambton Quay) and Kelbourn (a suburb in the hills). It's usually recognized as a symbol of Wellington and is a great way to check out various areas of the city.
The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected natural area in Wellington. It's a popular tourist attraction that is a great place to spot a wide variety of rare species of birds.
Since Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, the Parliament can be found there, as well as various government ministries and departments.
There is architecture in Wellington dating back through the past 150 years. The oldest building in Wellington is the Colonial Cottage in Mount Cook (built in 1858), while the tallest building in Wellington is the Majestic Centre (on Willis Street, measuring 116 meters high).
Port Location There are two main docks for cruise ships in Wellington. Larger ships will dock at Aotea Quay (from where it's about a 15 to 20 minute walk into town), while smaller ships will dock at Queens Wharf (which is located right in town).
