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Capital city of New Zealand
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Wellington (Māori: Te Whanganui-a-Tara) is the capital and second largest urban area of New Zealand. It is also the world's southernmost capital city of a UN member state. The Windy City is on the foreshore of Wellington Harbour and ringed by hills, providing the scenic home of many of New Zealand's national arts and cultural attractions.
Wellington City is that part of the urban area of Wellington in New Zealand that is administered by Wellington City Council. The Windy City is centred on the western foreshore of Wellington Harbour and stretches as far north as the suburb of Tawa.
Porirua is a city in the Wellington urban area in the southern North Island of New Zealand. Porirua's central business district (CBD) is about 20 km north of the Wellington City CBD. The Porirua CBD is near the southern end of the city, south-west of the less picturesque of the two almost landlocked arms of the Porirua Harbour.
Lower Hutt (also called Hutt City after its local council's self-chosen name) is a city of 112,000 people (2021) in the lower (southern) Hutt Valley, near Wellington, in the Greater Wellington region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city includes Lower Hutt and the separate communities of Petone, Eastbourne and Wainuiomata.
Upper Hutt is a city in the upper (northern) Hutt Valley, near Wellington, in the Greater Wellington region of the North Island of New Zealand.
By boat
There are regular ferries between Wellington and Picton in the South Island operated by Interislander and Bluebridge, connecting with buses and the train to Christchurch.
By road
Wellington sits at the southern tip of the North Island and is accessed from the north via two State Highways: State Highway 1 and State Highway 2.
By train
There is an article on Rail travel in New Zealand.
By bus
National bus carrier InterCity Coachlines operates bus services to Wellington from across the North Island.
Tickets and fares
Bus and train fares use a zone structure.5, and $6 respectively (May 2026).
By bus
Wellington has an extensive network of buses.
By train
Metlink's suburban rail network provides frequent electric trains connecting central Wellington with the northern suburbs of Wellington City, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and the Kapiti Coast.
By foot
The core of Wellington is notably compact and vibrant, and is well-suited to exploration by walking.
By cable car
The Kelburn cable car is a Wellington icon. It provides a regular service between Lambton Quay and Kelburn.
By taxi
As in all New Zealand cities, taxi rates vary according to the company. There is a "flagfall" charge, then a per kilometre charge once the cab starts moving.
By car
Driving in the core of Wellington is generally not necessary or as convenient as walking.
By boat
The Eastbourne ferry service, which provides regular services between Queens Wharf and Days Bay in Eastbourne, also stops at Somes Island most trips.
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Wellington · International · WLG
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