Wellington

Hemmed in by hillsides close to a magnificent harbour, Wellington is NZ’s capital. Locked in an age-old struggle for hip supremacy with Auckland, ‘Welly’ prides itself in its cultural and artistic wealth. Given the fairly small population, there’s an astounding variety of quality restaurants, cafes, bars, galleries, shops and theatres here. And it’s surely better-looking than Auckland: timber Victorian houses terrace up steep valleys inside waterfront in an practically San Franciscan manner.

In recent years Wellington has stamped its location firmly on a globe map as the home of NZ’s dynamic film industry, earning itself the nickname ‘Wellywood’. When the film crews hit town, the whole mood from the city lifts, and there’s a palpable sparkle and boom inside the air. Acclaimed director Peter Jackson still calls Wellington home; the accomplishment of his Lord on the Rings films and subsequent productions have made him a powerful Hollywood player, and have bolstered Wellington’s reputation.