Why visit
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. A practical starting point for museums, food, and onward routes into the country.
Wellington at a glance
City population
215k
Metro: 420k
Elevation
31 m
102 ft
Time zone
UTC+12 (UTC+13 DST)
Pacific/Auckland
Airport
WLG
Wellington International
Founded
1839
Getting around
Buses + Cable Car + commuter rail; windy but very walkable
Signature dish
Flat white (also claimed here), whitebait fritter, paua, hokey pokey ice cream
Neighborhoods for travelers
Te AroCuba StOriental BayKelburnMount Victoria
New Zealand at a glance
Country center
-41.0°, 174.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
270,467 km²
104,428 mi²
Country population
5.2 million
19/km²
Subregion
Australia and New Zealand
Currency
New Zealand dollar ($)
NZD
Dial
+64
Languages
English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
Demonym
New Zealander
Internet
.nz
UN
Member state
ISO code
NZ / NZL
Where in the world
-41.0° · 174.0°
New Zealand
Open in Google Maps ↗
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Wellington is the windiest major city in the world by measured gale-force days.
- Peter Jackson films much of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies in and around Wellington: "Wellywood" is an actual hilltop sign.
- The Beehive (Executive Wing of Parliament) is an unusual circular building with beehive-like rings, controversial since 1977.
- New Zealand is the only country where the native people (Māori) have a treaty-recognized co-status with the government.
- Sheep outnumber people ~5 to 1 in New Zealand.
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Wellington
What currency is used in Wellington?
Wellington uses the New Zealand dollar ($), ISO code NZD.
What languages are spoken in New Zealand?
The primary languages are English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
What is the international calling code for New Zealand?
The calling code is +64.
What airport serves Wellington?
Wellington International (IATA: WLG).
Other Oceania destinations
Australia
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Fiji
Fiji is 330 Pacific islands. Yasawas and Mamanucas for beach-bungalow travel, Taveuni for rainforest, and some of the friendliest welcomes on the planet.
Kiribati
Kiribati is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.
Micronesia
Micronesia is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.
Nauru
Nauru is a destination in Oceania with coastlines and warm-water travel at its core. Plan around season, swim conditions, and regional island or coastal routes.