Discover Wellington

Wellington is the heart of stunning scenery, diverse and vibrant culture, friendly people, and quality education.

Wellington is the vibrant heart of New Zealand and its second largest city. It has even been called “the coolest little capital in the world” (Lonely Planet).

Wellington is home to the New Zealand Government, as well as our national arts institutions, filmmaking industry, and more web-based and digital technology companies than anywhere else in the country.

You will discover a city that is bursting with life and creativity, fun activities, and opportunities for adventure.

I enjoy living and studying in Wellington. I can walk everywhere. I love all the cafés and public spaces, and that I can do so much in one day here in Wellington.

Top 10 things to do in Wellington

Here is what our students love doing most in Wellington:

1. Walk the waterfront

“The Wellington waterfront has arguably one of the best views in Wellington. There is always something going on there whether it is a music festival, food markets, or it’s just a beautiful day to admire the harbour and soak up some sun.”—Nick Towbridge (New Zealand)

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2. Visit Zealandia

“I love trying to locate the rare kiwis at Zealandia eco-sanctuary.”—Sabitha Sriram (India)

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3. Go to the markets

“Sunday mornings have never been more chill! I can roll out of bed and head down to the farmers' market to grab my fresh fruit and veg for the week. It's a good chance to take a stroll with your flatmates and enjoy the little things in life.”—Reuben Brown (New Zealand)

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4. Visit Te Papa

"I have visited Te Papa twice already. It's the national museum of New Zealand and you should not miss it. There is a wide variety of detailed digital and physical displays of historical and geographical facts, a collection of rare wildlife, and Māori traditional cultures, which I found very interesting and inspiring."—Ma Mya Aye (Myanmar)

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5. Take a dive

“During summer I like to do diving bombs off the diving platform on the waterfront. There are bomb contests hosted during the year that are a must-see for any visitor.”—Adam McMillan (New Zealand)

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6. Have a picnic at the Botanic Garden

“If you have class at Kelburn campus, the Wellington Botanic Garden is a great place to have lunch with friends.”—Anna Ou (New Zealand)

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7. Go hiking

“The Skyline walkway, which runs from Makara peak in Karori to Mt Kaukau in Johnsonville, is a favourite.”—Alex Glidden (USA)

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8. Eat ice cream

“Getting an ice-cream cone from Kaffee Eis on Cuba Street when I finished an assignment is the best!”—Ha Vo (Viet Nam)

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9. Visit the Beehive

"The Beehive is a New Zealand Parliament building and one of the landmarks of Wellington. It is highly recommended to take a tour inside and study the current issues of New Zealand."—Ma Mya Aye (Myanmar)

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10. Spend time with friends

"Because this city offers good work–life balance, I choose to fill my spare time with quality activities with friends—attending potluck gatherings, picnics under the trees in front of the Beehive, or a little chit-chat in a coffee shop. Not to mention exploring new places around Wellington."—Widya Rachmita (Indonesia)

Your Wellington city tour