View source for Wellington

{{Short description|Capital city of New Zealand}}
{{about|the capital of New Zealand|other uses}}
{{use New Zealand English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info --------------->| name = Wellington
| native_name = {{native name|mi|Te Whanganui-a-Tara}}
| native_name_lang = Māori
| settlement_type = [[Capital of New Zealand|Capital city]]
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
  | total_width            = 280
  | border                 = infobox
  | perrow                 = 1/2/2/2
  | caption_align          = center
  | image1                 = Wellington Panorama View.jpg
  | alt1                   = Wellington Central and Lambton Harbour
  | caption1               = [[Wellington Central]] and [[Wellington Harbour|Lambton Harbour]]
  | image2                 = Seddon Statue in Parliament Grounds.jpg
  | alt2                   = New Zealand Parliament
  | caption2               = [[New Zealand Parliament Buildings]]
  | image3                 = Old Government Buildings, Wellington.JPG
  | alt3                   = Old Government Buildings
  | caption3               = [[Old Government Buildings, Wellington|Old Government Buildings]]
  | image4                 = Wellington NZ7 3363 (cropped).jpg
  | alt4                   = Civic Square
  | caption4               = [[Te Ngākau Civic Square|Civic Square]] 
  | image5                 = PapaMuseumWellington.JPG
  | alt5                   = Te Papa
  | caption5             = [[Te Papa]]
  | image6                 = Historic Wellington Buildings.jpg
  | alt6                   = National War Memorial, Dominion Museum, Government House
  | caption6               = [[National War Memorial (New Zealand)|National War Memorial]], [[Dominion Museum building|Dominion Museum]], [[Government House, Wellington|Government House]]
  | image7                 = Wellington Cable Car (20240206a) (53532605708).jpg
  | alt7                   = [[Wellington Cable Car]]
  | caption7             = [[Wellington Cable Car]]
  }}
| imagesize = 300px
| image_caption = 
| image_flag =
| image_shield = Wellington coat of arms full achievement.svg
| motto = {{force singular}} {{lang|la|Suprema a Situ}}<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thorns|first1=David|last2=Schrader|first2=Ben|title=City history and people – Towns to cities|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/23508/civic-coats-of-arms|publisher=[[Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|access-date=15 February 2021|date=11 March 2010}}</ref><br/>[[English language|English]]: ''Supreme by position''
| nicknames = Windy Wellington, [[Wellywood]]
| named_for = [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington]]
| pushpin_map = New Zealand#Oceania
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in New Zealand
| pushpin_relief = yes
<!-- Location ------------------>| coordinates = {{Coord|41|17|20|S|174|46|38|E|type:city(370000)_region:NZ-WGN|display=it}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[New Zealand]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
| subdivision_type2 = Wards
| subdivision_type3 = [[Community boards in New Zealand|Community boards]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Wellington Region|Wellington]]
| subdivision_name2 = {{hlist|Takapū/Northern|Wharangi/Onslow-Western|Paekawakawa/Southern|Pukehīnau/Lambton|Motukairangi/Eastern|Te Whanganui-a-Tara ([[Māori wards and constituencies|Māori]])}}<ref name= wards/>
| subdivision_name3 = {{hlist|Tawa|Mākara/Ōhāriu<ref name= tawaboard>{{cite web|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/meetings/committees/tawa-community-board|title=Tawa Community Board|date=8 December 2021|publisher=[[Wellington City Council]]|access-date=6 February 2022}}</ref><ref name= makaraohariuboard>{{cite web|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/meetings/committees/makaraohariu-community-board|title=Mākara/Ōhāriu Community Board|date=22 November 2021|publisher=[[Wellington City Council]]|access-date=6 February 2022}}</ref><ref name= wards>{{cite web|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/wellington-city-wards/maps-by-ward-community-board-and-suburb|title=Ward maps and boundaries|publisher=[[Wellington City Council]]|access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref>}}
<!-- Politics ----------------->| established_title1 = Settled by Europeans
| established_date1 = 1840
<!-- Area --------------------->| founder = 
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| governing_body = [[Wellington City Council]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor of Wellington|Mayor]]
| leader_name = [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.electionz.com/LGE2025Results/ELT47WG25_Result.pdf|title=2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result|publisher=Electionz|access-date=22 October 2025}}</ref>
| leader_title1 = [[Mayor of Wellington#List of deputy-mayors of Wellington|Deputy Mayor]]
| leader_name1 = [[Ben McNulty]]
| leader_title3 = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]]
| leader_name3 = 
| total_type = Territorial <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Urban Rural 2020 (generalised) – GIS {{!}} {{!}} GIS Map Data Datafinder Geospatial Statistics {{!}} Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/layer/104269-urban-rural-2020-generalised/|access-date=25 October 2020|website=datafinder.stats.govt.nz}}</ref><ref name=statsnzmap>{{Cite web|title=StatsNZ Geographic Boundary Viewer|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=8 March 2022|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref>{{efn|The metro area combines the urban areas of Wellington, Porirua, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt.}}
| area_total_km2 = 289.91
| area_land_km2 = 
| area_water_km2 = 
| area_urban_km2 = 112.71
| area_rural_km2 = 177.20
| area_metro_km2 = 303.00
<!-- Elevation -------------------------->| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use tags-->
| elevation_m = 
| elevation_ft = 
| elevation_max_m = 495
| elevation_min_m = 0
| elevation_min_ft = <!-- Population ----------------------->
| population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
| population_footnotes = <ref name="NZ_population_data_2018"/>
| population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Wellington city|y}}
| population_urban = {{NZ population data 2018||y}}
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| population_metro = {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington city|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Porirua city|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Lower Hutt city|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Upper Hutt city|y}}|R}}|0}}
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| population_blank1_title = [[Demonym]]
| population_blank1 = Wellingtonian
| population_note = <!-- GDP --------------->
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|date=24 March 2023|title=Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2022|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/regional-gross-domestic-product-year-ended-march-2022/|access-date=4 April 2023|publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]]}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Metro
| demographics2_info1 = [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]47.465 billion (2023)<ref>{{cite web|title=Total regional GDP of the Wellington Region, New Zealand|url=https://figure.nz/chart/tSTem7o2sqIXn5YC-7SMi5e7kl9zScDiR|publisher=[[figure.nz]]|access-date=4 December 2024}}[[English language|en]]</ref>
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]86,805 (2023)<ref>{{cite web|title=Gross Domestic Product per capita of New Zealand regions|url=https://figure.nz/chart/tHjQuDfZNFsXRMTk|publisher=[[figure.nz]]|access-date=4 December 2024}}[[English language|en]]</ref>
| website = {{URL|https://wellington.govt.nz/}}<br/> {{URL|https://www.wellingtonnz.com/|wellingtonnz.com}}
| footnotes = 
| timezone = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]]
| utc_offset = +12
| timezone_DST = NZDT
| utc_offset_DST = +13
| blank_name = Local [[iwi]]
| blank_info = [[Ngāti Toa|Ngāti Toa Rangatira]], [[Ngāti Raukawa]], [[Te Āti Awa]]
| official_name = 
| leader_title2 = MPs
| leader_name2 = {{hidden|Representatives|
* {{NZ officeholder data|Mana MP|y}} ([[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]])
* {{NZ officeholder data|Ōhariu MP|y}} ([[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]])
* {{NZ officeholder data|Rongotai MP|y}} ([[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green]])
* {{NZ officeholder data|Wellington Central MP|y}} ([[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green]])
* {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Hauāuru MP|y}} ([[Te Pāti Māori]])
* {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}} (Independent)
}}
| seat_type = [[New Zealand electorates|Electorates]]
| seat = [[Mana (New Zealand electorate)|Mana]]<br/>[[Ōhāriu (New Zealand electorate)|Ōhāriu]]<br/>[[Rongotai (New Zealand electorate)|Rongotai]]<br/>[[Te Tai Hauāuru]] ([[Māori electorates|Māori]])<br/>[[Te Tai Tonga]] ([[Māori electorates|Māori]])<br/>[[Wellington Central (New Zealand electorate)|Wellington Central]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vote.nz/maps/2020-general-election-electorates/|title=2020 General Election electorates|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]|access-date=6 February 2022}}</ref>
<!-- Politics ----------------->}}

'''Wellington'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɛ|l|ɪ|ŋ|t|ən}} {{respell|WEL|ing|tən}}; {{langx|mi|[[Te Whanganui-a-Tara]]}} {{IPA|mi|tɛ ˈɸaŋanʉi a ˈtaɾa|audio|Te Whanganui-a-Tara Pronunciation.wav}} or {{lang|mi|Pōneke}} {{IPA|mi|ˈpɔːnɛkɛ|audio|Pōneke Pronunciation.wav}}.}} is [[Capital of New Zealand|the capital city]] of [[New Zealand]]. It is located at the south-western tip of the [[North Island]], between [[Cook Strait]] and the [[Remutaka Range]]. Wellington is the [[List of cities in New Zealand|third-largest city]] in New Zealand (second largest in the North Island),{{efn|Whether [[Christchurch]] or Wellington is New Zealand's second-largest city by population is debatable and depends on where the boundaries are drawn.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300677344/yeah-nah-is-wellington-or-christchurch-nzs-second-city|title=Yeah, Nah: Is Wellington (or Christchurch) NZ's second city?|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand|date=2 September 2022}}</ref> Using [[Statistics New Zealand]] boundaries, Wellington is the third-largest urban area ({{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch|y}} vs {{NZ population data 2018|Wellington|y}}),{{NZ population data 2018||||y}} territorial authority area ({{NZ population data 2018|Christchurch city|y}} vs {{NZ population data 2018|Wellington city|y}}){{NZ population data 2018||||y}} and functional urban area (470,814 vs 414,033).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/functional-urban-areas-methodology-and-classification|title=Functional urban areas – methodology and classification|publisher=Statistics New Zealand|date=10 February 2021}}</ref>}} and is the administrative centre of the [[Wellington Region]]. It is the [[List of national capitals by latitude|world's southernmost capital]] of a [[sovereign state]].<ref name="World Record2">{{cite book|title=Guinness World Records 2009|title-link=Guinness World Records|publisher=Guinness World Records Ltd|year=2008|isbn=978-1-904994-36-7|location=London, United Kingdom|page=[https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec00crai_0/page/277 277]}}</ref> Wellington features a temperate maritime climate, and is the world's windiest city by average [[wind speed]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Karl Mathiesen|date=15 October 2015|title=Where is the world's windiest city? Spoiler alert: it's not Chicago|work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/oct/15/where-world-windiest-city-spoiler-alert-chicago-wellington|url-status=live|access-date=13 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712131315/https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/oct/15/where-world-windiest-city-spoiler-alert-chicago-wellington|archive-date=12 July 2016}}</ref>

Māori oral tradition tells that [[Kupe]] discovered and explored the region in about the 10th century. The area was initially settled by [[Māori people|Māori]] [[iwi]] such as [[Rangitāne]] and [[Muaūpoko]]. The disruptions of the [[Musket Wars]] led to them being overwhelmed by northern iwi such as [[Te Āti Awa]] in the early 19th century.<ref name=":2" />

Wellington's current form was originally designed by Captain [[William Mein Smith]], the first Surveyor General for [[Edward Wakefield (New Zealand politician)|Edward Wakefield]]'s [[New Zealand Company]], in 1840.<ref name=Wellington's_plan /> Smith's plan included a series of interconnected [[grid plan]]s, expanding along valleys and lower hill slopes,<ref name=Wellington's_plan_2 /> but without actually taking the terrain into account.<ref name=Wellington's_plan /> The Wellington [[Urban areas of New Zealand|urban area]], which only includes urbanised areas within Wellington City, has a population of {{NZ population data 2018|Wellington|y|}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}.{{NZ population data 2018||4=y}} The wider Wellington [[metropolitan area]], including the cities of [[Lower Hutt]], [[Porirua]] and [[Upper Hutt]], has a population of {{formatnum:{{#expr: {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Porirua city|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Upper Hutt city|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Lower Hutt city|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington city|y}}|R}} }}}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}.{{NZ population data 2018||4=y}} The city has served as [[Capital of New Zealand|New Zealand's capital]] since 1865, a status that is not defined in legislation, but established by convention; the [[New Zealand Government]] and [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]], the [[Supreme Court of New Zealand|Supreme Court]] and most of the public service are based in the city.<ref name="Levine">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Capital city – Wellington, capital city|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/capital-city/page-4|access-date=23 May 2019 |last=Levine |first=Stephen |date=20 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205072510/https://teara.govt.nz/en/capital-city/page-4 |archive-date=5 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Wellington's economy is primarily [[Service sector|service]]-based, with an emphasis on finance, business services, government, and the film industry. It is the centre of New Zealand's [[Cinema of New Zealand|film]] and special effects industries, and increasingly a hub for information technology and innovation,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lim |first1=Jason |date=29 November 2015 |title=Wellington Is Bigger on Tech And Innovation Than You Think |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jlim/2015/11/29/wellington-is-bigger-on-tech-and-innovation-than-you-think/ |access-date=15 November 2016 |website=Forbes}}</ref> with two public research universities. Wellington is one of New Zealand's chief seaports and serves both domestic and international shipping. The city is chiefly served by [[Wellington Airport]] in [[Rongotai]], the country's [[List of the busiest airports in New Zealand|third-busiest airport]]. Wellington's transport network includes [[Metlink Wellington|train and bus lines]], which reach as far as the [[Kāpiti Coast District|Kāpiti Coast]] and [[Wairarapa|the Wairarapa]], and ferries connect the city to the [[South Island]].

Often referred to as New Zealand's cultural capital, the culture of Wellington is a diverse and often youth-driven one.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Culture and creativity|url=https://www.wellingtonnz.com/business-events-conferences/incentive-travel/culture-itinerary/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808172822/https://www.wellingtonnz.com/business-events-conferences/incentive-travel/culture-itinerary/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2022|access-date=21 April 2022|website=wellingtonnz.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Arts and culture|url=https://10yearplan.wellington.govt.nz/our-priorities/arts-and-culture/|access-date=21 April 2022|website=10yearplan.wellington.govt.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|publisher=ShermansTravel Media|title=Kiwi Culture in Wellington: New Zealand's Creative Capital |url=https://www.shermanstravel.com/advice/kiwi-culture-in-wellington-new-zealand-creative-capital|access-date=21 April 2022|website=ShermansTravel}}</ref> One of the [[world's most liveable cities]], the 2021 [[Global Liveability Ranking|Global Livability Ranking]] tied Wellington with [[Tokyo]] as fourth in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Choudhury |first=Saheli Roy|date=9 June 2021 |title=These are the world's most livable cities in 2021 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/09/global-liveability-index-2021-world-most-liveable-cities.html |access-date=2 June 2022|publisher=CNBC}}</ref> From 2017 to 2018, [[Deutsche Bank]] ranked it first in the world for both liveability and non-pollution.<ref name="mercer.com">{{cite web|date=19 February 2014|title=2014 Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings – Mercer Survey|url=http://www.mercer.com/qualityoflivingpr#city-rankings|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622141236/http://www.mercer.com/qualityoflivingpr#city-rankings|archive-date=22 June 2013|access-date=11 April 2014|publisher=mercer.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=25 May 2018|title=Wellington named most liveable city for second year running|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/104217247/wellington-named-most-liveable-city-for-second-year-running|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623014438/https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/104217247/wellington-named-most-liveable-city-for-second-year-running|archive-date=23 June 2019|access-date=23 June 2019|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand}}</ref> Cultural precincts such as [[Cuba Street, Wellington|Cuba Street]] and [[Newtown, New Zealand|Newtown]] are renowned for creative innovation, "[[Charity shop|op shops]]", historic character, and [[New Zealand cuisine|food]]. Wellington is a leading [[financial centre]] in the [[Asia-Pacific]] region, being ranked 46th in the world by the [[Global Financial Centres Index]] for 2024. The [[global city]] has grown from a bustling Māori settlement, to a colonial outpost, and from there to an [[Australasia]]n capital that has experienced a "remarkable creative resurgence".<ref>{{Cite web|first=Damian|last=George|date=19 September 2016|title=Huffington Post lauds Wellington's 'remarkable' creative resurgence|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/84406705/huffington-post-lauds-wellingtons-remarkable-creative-resurgence|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709021138/https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/84406705/huffington-post-lauds-wellingtons-remarkable-creative-resurgence|archive-date=9 July 2019|access-date=9 July 2019|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Wellington: New Zealand's creative capital|url=https://media.newzealand.com/en/story-ideas/wellington-new-zealands-creative-capital/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709021147/https://media.newzealand.com/en/story-ideas/wellington-new-zealands-creative-capital/|archive-date=9 July 2019|access-date=9 July 2019|website=TNZ Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Wellington is a Smart City of the future|url=https://istart.co.nz/nz-opinion-article/wellington-smart-city-future/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709021146/https://istart.co.nz/nz-opinion-article/wellington-smart-city-future/|archive-date=9 July 2019|access-date=9 July 2019|website=iStart leading the way to smarter technology investment.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The World According to GaWC 2020|url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html|access-date=31 August 2020|website=GaWC – Research Network|publisher=Globalization and World Cities|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824031341/https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2020t.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Toponymy==
Wellington takes its name from [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Arthur Wellesley]], the first [[Duke of Wellington (title)|Duke of Wellington]] and victor of the [[Battle of Waterloo]] (1815): his title comes from the town of [[Wellington, Somerset|Wellington]] in the [[Counties of England|English county]] of [[Somerset]]. It was named in November 1840 by the original settlers of the [[New Zealand Company]] on the suggestion of the directors of the same, in recognition of the Duke's strong support for the company's principles of colonisation and his "strenuous and successful defence against its enemies of the measure for colonising [[South Australia]]". One of the founders of the settlement, [[Edward Jerningham Wakefield]], reported that the settlers "took up the views of the directors with great cordiality and the new name was at once adopted".<ref name=Edward>Wakefield, Edward Jerningham (1845). ''Adventure in New Zealand'', Vol. 1, pub. John Murray.</ref>

In the [[Māori language]], Wellington has three names:
*{{lang|mi|[[Te Whanganui-a-Tara]]}}, meaning "the great harbour of Tara", refers to [[Wellington Harbour]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Te Āti Awa of Wellington|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/te-ati-awa-of-wellington|access-date=28 October 2019|last=Love|first=Morris|date=3 March 2017}}</ref> The primary settlement of Wellington is said to have been led by Tara, the son of [[Whatonga]], a chief from the [[Māhia Peninsula]], who told his son to travel south, to find more fertile lands to settle.<ref name="WCC_Māori_hist"/>
*{{lang|mi|Pōneke}}, commonly held to be a phonetic Māori transliteration of "Port Nick", short for "[[Port Nicholson]]".<ref>"[http://www.wcl.govt.nz/wellington/streetschap1.html The Streets of my city, Wellington New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520195407/http://www.wcl.govt.nz/wellington/streetschap1.html |date=20 May 2017 }}" by F. L. Irvine-Smith (1948); digital copy on Wellington City Libraries website. Retrieved 2 January 2013.</ref> An alternatively suggested etymology for {{lang|mi|Pōneke}} is that it comes from a shortening of the phrase {{lang|mi|Pō Nekeneke}}, meaning "journey into the night", referring to the exodus of [[Te Āti Awa]] from the Wellington area after they were displaced by the first European settlers.<ref>{{cite thesis|last=Te One|first=Annie|title=Mana Whenua, Mātaawaka, and Local Government: An Examination of Relationships Between Māori and Local Government in Wellington and the Hutt Valley|url=https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/164254/1/ANNIE%20TE%20ONE%20PHD%20REVISED%20THESIS.pdf|type=PhD thesis|publisher=Australian National University|year=2018|docket=|access-date=15 December 2022|page=192}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Poneke|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/32006539|access-date=8 October 2022|publisher=National Library of New Zealand}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=nekeneke – Te Aka Māori Dictionary|url=https://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/4381|access-date=28 April 2024|website=maoridictionary.co.nz}}</ref> However, the name Pōneke was already in use by February 1842,<ref>{{Cite news|title=[untitled]|pages=8|work=Maori Messenger: Te Karere Maori|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MMTKM18420201.2.7|quote=Tenei pea kua ronga nga tangata maori i te kokotinga o te ringaringa o Tako i Poneke, kahore ra nei.|via=Papers Past}}</ref> earlier than the displacement is said to have happened. The city's central [[marae]], the community supporting it and its {{lang|mi|[[kapa haka]]}} group have the pseudo-tribal name of [[Ngāti Poneke|Ngāti Pōneke]].<ref>{{cite web|date=20 February 2007|title=Poneke: Wellington places to visit|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/placeprofilesummary.aspx?id=35015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220225053/http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/placeprofilesummary.aspx?id=35015|archive-date=20 February 2007|access-date=19 June 2015|publisher=[[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]]}}</ref> 
*{{lang|mi|Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui}}, meaning "The Head of the Fish of Māui" (often shortened to ''Te Upoko-o-te-Ika''), a traditional name for the southernmost part of the North Island, deriving from the legend of the fishing up of the island by the demi-god [[Māui (Māori mythology)|Māui]].

The legendary Māori explorer [[Kupe]], a chief from [[Hawaiki]] (the homeland of Polynesian explorers, of unconfirmed geographical location, not to be confused with [[Hawaii]]), was said to have stayed in the harbour prior to 1000 CE.<ref name="WCC_Māori_hist">{{Cite web|date=30 December 2015|title=Māori history|url=http://wellington.govt.nz/about-wellington/history/history-of-wellington-waterfront/maori|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410012111/https://wellington.govt.nz/about-wellington/history/history-of-wellington-waterfront/maori|archive-date=10 April 2019|access-date=9 July 2019|website=[[Wellington City Council]] }}</ref> Here, it is said he had a notable impact on the area, with local mythology stating he named the two islands in the harbour after his daughters, [[Matiu / Somes Island|Matiu (Somes Island)]], and [[Mākaro / Ward Island|Mākaro (Ward Island)]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Wellington region – Early Māori history|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/wellington-region/page-5|access-date=28 October 2019|last=Maclean|first=Chris|date=1 August 2015}}</ref>

In [[New Zealand Sign Language]], the name is signed by raising the index, middle, and ring fingers of one hand, palm forward, to form a "W", and shaking it slightly from side to side twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nzsl.vuw.ac.nz/signs/4738|title=Wellington – New Zealand Sign Language Online|publisher=Deaf Studies Research Unit, [[Victoria University of Wellington]]|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>

The city's location close to the mouth of the narrow Cook Strait leaves it vulnerable to strong gales, leading to the [[nickname]] of "Windy Wellington".<ref name="windy">{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Maclean|first1=Chris|title=Wellington region – Climate: Windy Wellington|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/13182/windy-wellington|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|access-date=28 October 2019|date=1 August 2015}}</ref>

==History==
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===Māori settlement===
[[File:Wellington.- Statue de Kupe Raiatea avec son épouse Te Aparangi (focus).jpg|thumb|Wellington – statue of [[Kupe]] Raiatea with his wife Te Aparangi]]
In [[Māori mythology]], the legendary Polynesian explorer Kupe, a chief from [[Hawaiki]] (the homeland of Polynesian explorers, of unconfirmed geographical location, not to be confused with [[Hawaii]]), was said to have stayed in the harbour from {{circa|925}}.<ref name="WCC_Māori_hist"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Te Whanganui a Tara me ona takiwa : report on the Wellington District.|last=Waitangi Tribunal|date=2003|publisher=Legislation Direct|isbn=186956264X|location=Wellington, N.Z.|pages=13|oclc=53261192}}</ref> A later Māori explorer, Whatonga, named the harbour ''[[Te Whanganui-a-Tara]]'' after his son Tara.<ref>Waitangi Tribunal, Te Whanganui a Tara me ona Takiwa, page 18, https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_68452530/Wai145.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122114129/https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_68452530/Wai145.pdf |date=22 January 2019 }}</ref> Before the 1820s, most of the inhabitants of the Wellington region identified as being Whatonga's descendants.<ref>Waitangi Tribunal, Te Whanganui a Tara me ona Takiwa, page 18</ref>

At about 1820, the people living there were Ngāti Ira and other groups who claimed descent from the explorer Whatonga, including [[Rangitāne]] and [[Muaūpoko]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Te Whanganui a Tara me ona takiwa : report on the Wellington District.|last=Waitangi Tribunal|date=2003|publisher=Legislation Direct|isbn=186956264X|location=Wellington, N.Z.|oclc=53261192}}</ref> However, these groups were eventually forced out of ''Te Whanganui-a-Tara'' by a series of migrations by other [[iwi]] (Māori tribes) from the north.<ref name=":2" /> The migrating groups were [[Ngāti Toa]], which came from [[Kawhia Harbour|Kāwhia]], Ngāti Rangatahi, from near [[Taumarunui]], and [[Te Āti Awa|Te Ātiawa]], [[Ngāti Tama]], [[Ngāti Mutunga]], Taranaki and [[Ngāti Ruanui]] from [[Taranaki]]. Ngāti Mutunga later moved on to the [[Chatham Islands]]. The [[Waitangi Tribunal]] has found that at the time of the signing of the [[Treaty of Waitangi]] in 1840, Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Tama, and Ngāti Toa held [[mana whenua]] interests in the area, through conquest and occupation.<ref name=":2" />

===Early European settlement===
[[File:Lambton Harbour, Wellington, New Zealand c 1840.jpg|thumb|Lambton Harbour, Port Nicholson, {{Circa|1840}}]]
Steps towards [[European settlers in New Zealand|European settlement]] in the area began in 1839, when Colonel [[William Wakefield]] arrived to purchase land for the [[New Zealand Company]] to sell to prospective [[British Empire|British]] settlers.<ref name=":2" /> Prior to this time, the Māori inhabitants had had contact with Pākehā whalers and traders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govt.nz/dmsdocument/5820.pdf|title=Deed of Settlement of Historical Claims signed between Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust and The Sovereign in Right of New Zealand|date=19 August 2008|website=New Zealand Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204122027/https://www.govt.nz/dmsdocument/5820.pdf|archive-date=4 February 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=15 September 2018|page=8|quote=The importance of the Harbour to Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika increased as trade was entered into early in the 19th century.}}</ref>

[[File:Early Map of Wellington - Wellington County District (23530307892).jpg|alt= Early Map of Wellington – Wellington County District|thumb| This early map of Wellington County District shows a number of important historical sites, including Māori [[pā]], pathways, [[Marae|wāhi tapu]], and pre-1840 battle sites, as well as battle sites from the New Zealand Land Wars.]]

European settlement began with the arrival of an advance party of the New Zealand Company on the ship ''[[New Zealand Company ships#Tory|Tory]]'' on 20 September 1839, followed by 150 settlers on the ''[[New Zealand Company ships#Aurora|Aurora]]'' on 22 January 1840. Thus, the Wellington settlement preceded the signing of the [[Treaty of Waitangi]] (on 6 February 1840). The 1840 settlers constructed their first homes at [[Petone]] (which they called Britannia for a time) on the flat area at the mouth of the [[Hutt River (New Zealand)|Hutt River]]. Within months that area proved swampy and flood-prone, and most of the newcomers transplanted their settlement across Wellington Harbour to [[Thorndon, New Zealand|Thorndon]] in present-day Wellington.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Easther|first=John |title=The Hutt River = Te-Awa-kai-rangi : a modern history, 1840–1990|publisher=Wellington Regional Council|year=1991|isbn=0-909016-09-7 |location=Wellington [N.Z.]|pages=24–29 |oclc=34915088}}</ref> The town's layout was originally designed by Captain [[William Mein Smith]], the first Surveyor General for the New Zealand Company, in 1840.<ref name=Wellington's_plan>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Chris |last=Maclean |title= Wellington's plan |url= https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/13233/wellingtons-plan |encyclopedia= [[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref> Smith's plan included a series of interconnected [[grid plan]]s, expanding along valleys and lower hill slopes,<ref name=Wellington's_plan_2>{{Cite web |last=Schrader |first=Ben |date=26 March 2015 |orig-date=11 March 2010 |title=City planning – Early settlement planning |url= https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/25723/wellingtons-plan |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230923032146/https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/25723/wellingtons-plan |archive-date=23 September 2023 |access-date=23 September 2023 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |quote=Wellington's plan was designed by New Zealand Company surveyor William Mein Smith in 1840. It comprised a series of interconnected grids which expanded along the town's valleys and up the lower slopes of hills.|ref=Schrader}}</ref> but without actually taking the terrain into account.<ref name=Wellington's_plan /> Early growth was quick, with 700 buildings constructed by 1843. By 1865 the city had only grown to 1,200 buildings, the majority in [[Te Aro]], with [[Newtown, New Zealand|Newtown]] largely undeveloped.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mew |first1=G. |title=Raupo to Deco: Wellington Styles and Architects, 1840–1940 |last2=Humphris |first2=Adrian |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-927242-56-8 |page=32 |publisher=Steele Roberts Aotearoa }}</ref>

===National capital===
{{see also|Capital of New Zealand}}
[[File:Corner of Bowen Street and Lambton Quay, circa 1929.jpg|thumb|[[Thorndon, New Zealand|Thorndon]], the centre of government in Wellington, {{circa|1929}}. The original [[Government House, Wellington|Government House]] (now the site of the [[Beehive (New Zealand)|Beehive]]), [[New Zealand Parliament Buildings|Parliament Buildings]] and [[Turnbull House]] are in the background.]]
Wellington was declared a city in 1840, and was chosen to be the capital city of New Zealand in [[timeline of New Zealand history#1860s|1865]].<ref name="Levine" />

Wellington became the capital city in place of [[Auckland]], which [[William Hobson]] had made the capital in [[timeline of New Zealand history#1840s|1841]]. The [[New Zealand Parliament]] had first met in Wellington on 7 July 1862, on a temporary basis; in November 1863, the [[Prime Minister of New Zealand]], [[Alfred Domett]], placed a resolution before Parliament in Auckland that "... it has become necessary that the [[seat of government]]&nbsp;... should be transferred to some suitable locality in [[Cook Strait]] [region]." There had been some concerns that the more populous [[South Island]] (where the goldfields were located) would choose to form a separate colony in the [[British Empire]]. Several commissioners (delegates) invited from Australia, chosen for their neutral status, declared that the city was a suitable location because of its central location in New Zealand and its good [[Wellington Harbour|harbour]]; it was believed that the whole [[Royal Navy]] fleet could fit into the harbour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/history-of-new-zealand-1769-1914|title=History of New Zealand, 1769–1914 – A history of New Zealand 1769–1914|website=nzhistory.govt.nz|publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]]|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720150026/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/history-of-new-zealand-1769-1914|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Wellington's status as the capital is a result of [[Constitutional convention (political custom)|constitutional convention]] rather than statute.<ref name="Levine" />

Wellington is New Zealand's [[politics of New Zealand|political]] centre, housing the nation's major government institutions. The New Zealand Parliament relocated to the new capital city, having spent the first ten years of its existence in Auckland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parliament moves to Wellington|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/parliament-sits-for-the-first-time-in-wellington|website=nzhistory.govt.nz|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|access-date=25 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425175533/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/parliament-sits-for-the-first-time-in-wellington|archive-date=25 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A session of parliament officially met in the capital for the first time on 26 July 1865. At that time, the population of Wellington was just 4,900.<ref>{{cite book|last=Temple|first=Philip|year=1980|title=Wellington Yesterday|isbn=0-86868-012-5|publisher=John McIndoe|author-link=Philip Temple}}</ref>

The [[Old Government Buildings, Wellington|Government Buildings]] were constructed at [[Lambton Quay]] in 1876. The site housed the original [[public sector organisations in New Zealand|government departments in New Zealand]]. The public service rapidly expanded beyond the capacity of the building, with the first department leaving shortly after it was opened; by 1975 only the Education Department remained, and by 1990 the building was empty. The capital city is also the location of the highest court, the [[Supreme Court of New Zealand]], and the historic former High Court building (opened 1881) has been enlarged and restored for its use. The Governor-General's residence, [[Government House, Wellington|Government House]] (the current building completed in 1910) is situated in [[Newtown, New Zealand|Newtown]], opposite the [[Basin Reserve]]. [[Premier House]] (built in 1843 for Wellington's first mayor, [[George Hunter (mayor)|George Hunter]]), the official residence of the [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|prime minister]], is in [[Thorndon, New Zealand|Thorndon]] on Tinakori Road.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In 1903 Wellington annexed the [[Melrose Borough]],<ref>{{cite book | last=Bloomfield | first=Gerald Taylor | title=The Evolution of Local Government Areas in Metropolitan Auckland, 1840–1971 | publisher=[Auckland] : Auckland University Press | publication-place=Auckland | date=1973 | isbn=0-19-647714-X | page=10}}</ref> in 1919 it annexed the [[Borough of Onslow]] and [[Karori]] and [[Miramar, New Zealand|Miramar]] boroughs in 1920. The [[Johnsonville, New Zealand|Johnsonville]] Town District was annexed in 1953.<ref>{{cite book | last=Bloomfield | first=Gerald Taylor | title=The Evolution of Local Government Areas in Metropolitan Auckland, 1840–1971 | publisher=[Auckland] : Auckland University Press | publication-place=Auckland | date=1973 | isbn=0-19-647714-X | page=14}}</ref>

Over six months in 1939 and 1940, Wellington hosted the [[New Zealand Centennial Exhibition]], celebrating a century since the signing of the [[Treaty of Waitangi]]. Held on 55 acres of land at Rongotai, it featured three exhibition courts, grand Art Deco-style edifices and a hugely popular three-acre amusement park. Wellington attracted more than 2.5 million visitors at a time when New Zealand's population was 1.6 million.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Maclean|first1=Chris|title=Wellington region – Boom and bust: 1900–1940|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/wellington-region/page-9|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |date=9 July 2007|access-date=23 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720233251/https://teara.govt.nz/en/wellington-region/page-9|archive-date=20 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Wellington, New Zealand.JPG|thumb|Satellite view of the Wellington area]]
Wellington is at the south-western tip of the [[North Island]] on [[Cook Strait]], separating the North and South Islands. On a clear day, the snowcapped [[Kaikōura Ranges]] are visible to the south across the strait. To the north stretch the golden beaches of the [[Kāpiti Coast]]. On the east, the [[Remutaka Range]] divides Wellington from the broad plains of the [[Wairarapa]], a [[list of wine-producing regions|wine region]] of national notability.

With a [[latitude]] of 41° 17' South, Wellington is the [[List of southernmost items|southernmost capital city in the world]].<ref name="World Record">{{cite book|title=Guinness World Records 2009|year=2008|publisher=Guinness World Records Ltd|location=London, United Kingdom|isbn=978-1-904994-36-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec00crai_0/page/277 277]|title-link=Guinness World Records}}</ref>
[[File:View of Wellington from Mt Victoria (10).jpg|thumb|Wellington City Centre and harbour from [[Mount Victoria (Wellington hill)|Mount Victoria]]]]
Wellington is more densely populated than most other cities in New Zealand due to the restricted amount of land that is available between its harbour and the surrounding hills. It has very few open areas in which to expand, and this has brought about the development of the suburban towns. Because of its location in the [[Roaring Forties]] and its exposure to the winds blowing through [[Cook Strait]], Wellington is the world's windiest city, with an average wind speed of {{convert|27|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Where is the world's windiest city? Spoiler alert: it's not Chicago|author=Karl Mathiesen|work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/oct/15/where-world-windiest-city-spoiler-alert-chicago-wellington|access-date=19 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119083319/http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/oct/15/where-world-windiest-city-spoiler-alert-chicago-wellington|archive-date=19 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Departure (33950426345).jpg|thumb|View of the [[Wellington Harbour]] from [[Mount Cook, Wellington|Mount Cook]]]]
Wellington's scenic natural harbour and green hillsides adorned with tiered suburbs of colonial villas are popular with tourists. The central business district (CBD) is close to Lambton Harbour, an arm of [[Wellington Harbour]], which lies along an active [[Fault (geology)|geological fault]], clearly evident on its straight western shore. The land to the west of this rises abruptly, meaning that many suburbs sit high above the centre of the city. There is a network of bush walks and reserves maintained by the [[Wellington City|Wellington City Council]] and local volunteers. These include [[Otari-Wilton's Bush]], dedicated to the protection and propagation of native plants. The Wellington region has {{convert|500|km2|sqmi|-1}} of regional parks and forests. In the east is the [[Miramar Peninsula]], connected to the rest of the city by a low-lying isthmus at [[Rongotai]], the site of [[Wellington Airport]]. Industry has developed mainly in the Hutt Valley, where there are food-processing plants, engineering industries, vehicle assembly and oil refineries.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|editor-last=Paxton|editor-first=John|encyclopedia=The Penguin Encyclopedia of Places|title=Wellington, New Zealand|edition=3rd|year=1999|via=[[Credo Reference]]}}</ref>

The narrow entrance to the harbour is to the east of the Miramar Peninsula, and contains the dangerous shallows of [[Barrett Reef]], where many ships have been wrecked (notably the inter-island ferry {{ship|TEV|Wahine}} in [[Timeline of New Zealand history#1960s|1968]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/kids/nzdisasters/wahine.asp|title=New Zealand Disasters – Wahine Shipwreck|publisher=[[Christchurch City Libraries]] |date=10 April 1968|access-date=28 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819160954/http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/kids/nzdisasters/wahine.asp|archive-date=19 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The harbour has three islands: [[Matiu/Somes Island]], [[Makaro/Ward Island]] and [[Mokopuna Island]]. Only Matiu/Somes Island is large enough for habitation. It has been used as a quarantine station for people and animals, and was an [[internment|internment camp]] during World War I and World War II. It is a conservation island, providing refuge for [[endangered species]], much like [[Kapiti Island]] farther up the coast. There is access during daylight hours by the Dominion Post Ferry.

Wellington is primarily surrounded by water, but some of the nearby locations are listed below.

{{wide image|Wellington Panorama.jpg|1000px|Panorama of Wellington and surrounds}}

===Geology===
Wellington suffered serious damage in a series of [[1848 Marlborough earthquake|earthquakes in 1848]]<ref>{{cite web|date=30 March 2005|title=The 1848 Marlborough earthquake – Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/NaturalHazardsAndDisasters/HistoricEarthquakes/2/en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614222309/http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/NaturalHazardsAndDisasters/HistoricEarthquakes/2/en|archive-date=14 June 2009|access-date=6 February 2009|publisher=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] }}</ref> and from another earthquake in 1855. The [[1855 Wairarapa earthquake]] occurred on the [[Wairarapa Fault]] to the north and east of Wellington. It was probably the most powerful earthquake in recorded New Zealand history,<ref>{{cite web|date=21 September 2007|title=The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake – Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/NaturalHazardsAndDisasters/HistoricEarthquakes/3/en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221195734/http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/NaturalHazardsAndDisasters/HistoricEarthquakes/3/en|archive-date=21 February 2009|access-date=6 February 2009|publisher=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] }}</ref> with an estimated magnitude of at least 8.2 on the [[Moment magnitude scale]]. It caused vertical movements of two to three metres over a large area, including raising land out of the harbour and turning it into a tidal swamp. Much of this land was subsequently [[Reclamation of Wellington Harbour|reclaimed]] and is now part of the central business district. For this reason, the street named [[Lambton Quay]] is 100 to 200 metres (325 to 650&nbsp;ft) from the harbour – plaques set into the footpath mark the shoreline in [[Timeline of New Zealand history#1840s|1840]], indicating the extent of reclamation. The [[1942 Wairarapa earthquakes]] caused considerable damage in Wellington.

The area has high seismic activity even by New Zealand standards, with a major fault, the [[Wellington Fault]], running through the centre of the city and several others nearby. Several hundred minor faults lines have been identified within the urban area. Inhabitants, particularly in high-rise buildings, typically notice several earthquakes every year. For many years after the 1855 earthquake, the majority of buildings were made entirely from wood. The 1996-restored [[Government Buildings (Wellington, New Zealand)|Government Buildings]]<ref>{{NZHPT|37|Government Buildings|2009-02-06}}</ref> near Parliament is the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. While masonry and [[structural steel]] have subsequently been used in building construction, especially for office buildings, [[timber framing]] remains the primary structural component of almost all residential construction. Residents place their confidence in good [[building code|building regulations]], which became more stringent in the 20th century. Since the Canterbury earthquakes of [[2010 Canterbury earthquake|2010]] and [[2011 Christchurch earthquake|2011]], earthquake readiness has become even more of an issue, with buildings declared by [[Wellington City Council]] to be earthquake-prone,<ref>{{cite web|author=Dave Burgess|date=14 March 2011|title=Shuddering in Wellington|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4761054/Shuddering-in-Wellington|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323052804/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4761054/Shuddering-in-Wellington|archive-date=23 March 2011|access-date=28 October 2012|publisher=Fairfax NZ}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Hank Schouten|date=2 June 2012|title=How safe are the capital's office buildings?|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/commercial-property/7031111/How-safe-are-the-capitals-office-buildings|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604002602/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/commercial-property/7031111/How-safe-are-the-capitals-office-buildings|archive-date=4 June 2012|access-date=28 October 2012|work=The Dominion Post|location=Wellington}}</ref> and the costs of meeting new standards.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kate Chapman|date=16 October 2012|title=Councillors question quake costs|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington-central/7822064/Councillors-question-quake-costs|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019022226/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington-central/7822064/Councillors-question-quake-costs|archive-date=19 October 2012|access-date=28 October 2012|work=The Dominion Post|location=Wellington}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Dave Burgess & Hank Schouten|date=1 October 2011|title=Quake shakes capital insurance market|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5714033/Quake-shakes-capital-insurance-market|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024173536/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5714033/Quake-shakes-capital-insurance-market|archive-date=24 October 2012|access-date=28 October 2012|work=The Dominion Post|location=Wellington}}</ref>

Every five years, a year-long slow quake occurs beneath Wellington, stretching from Kapiti to the [[Marlborough Sounds]]. It was first measured in 2003, and reappeared in 2008 and 2013.<ref>{{cite news|date=28 May 2013|title='Silent' quake gently rocks Wellington|work=3 News NZ|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Silent-quake-gently-rocks-Wellington/tabid/1160/articleID/299393/Default.aspx|url-status=dead|access-date=28 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823115722/http://www.3news.co.nz/Silent-quake-gently-rocks-Wellington/tabid/1160/articleID/299393/Default.aspx|archive-date=23 August 2014}}</ref> It releases as much energy as a magnitude 7 quake, but as it happens slowly, there is no damage.<ref>{{cite news|date=27 May 2013|title=M7 slow release earthquake under Wellington|work=[[GeoNet (New Zealand)|GeoNet]] NZ|url=http://info.geonet.org.nz/display/quake/2013/05/27/M7+slow+release+earthquake+under+Wellington|url-status=live|access-date=28 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607231015/http://info.geonet.org.nz/display/quake/2013/05/27/M7+slow+release+earthquake+under+Wellington|archive-date=7 June 2013}}</ref>

During July and August 2013 there were many earthquakes, mostly in Cook Strait near Seddon. The sequence started at 5:09 pm on Sunday 21 July 2013 when the magnitude 6.5 [[2013 Seddon earthquake|Seddon earthquake]] hit the city, but no tsunami report was confirmed nor any major damage.<ref>{{cite news|date=21 July 2013|title=New Zealand's capital shaken by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-21/strong-earthquake-near-wellington-shakes-new-zealand/4833724|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722062818/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-21/strong-earthquake-near-wellington-shakes-new-zealand/4833724|archive-date=22 July 2013|access-date=21 July 2013|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia}}</ref> At 2:31&nbsp;pm on Friday 16 August 2013 the [[2013 Lake Grassmere earthquake|Lake Grassmere earthquake]] struck, this time magnitude 6.6, but again no major damage occurred, though many buildings were evacuated.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9051982/Earthquakes-rock-central-New-Zealand Strong 6.6 earthquake hits Wellington, aftershocks...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013213046/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9051982/Earthquakes-rock-central-New-Zealand|date=13 October 2013}}. Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 7 September 2013.</ref> On Monday 20 January 2014 at 3:52&nbsp;pm [[2014 Eketāhuna earthquake|a rolling 6.2 magnitude earthquake]] struck the lower North Island 15&nbsp;km east of [[Eketāhuna]] and was felt in Wellington, but little damage was reported initially, except at [[Wellington Airport]] where one of the two giant eagle sculptures commemorating [[The Hobbit]] became detached from the ceiling.<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 January 2014|title=6.2 earthquake cuts power, phones, stops trains|publisher=[[1News|One News]]|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/6-2-earthquake-cuts-power-phones-stops-trains-5803966|url-status=dead|access-date=21 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516084016/http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/6-2-earthquake-cuts-power-phones-stops-trains-5803966|archive-date=16 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=20 January 2014|title=Quake: 'Hobbit' sculpture crashes down at N.Z. airport|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2014/01/20/quake-hobbit-sculpture-crashes-down-at-nz-airport/4658349/|url-status=live|access-date=21 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227012625/https://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2014/01/20/quake-hobbit-sculpture-crashes-down-at-nz-airport/4658349/|archive-date=27 December 2017}}</ref>

At two minutes after midnight on Monday 14 November 2016, the 7.8 magnitude [[2016 Kaikōura earthquake|Kaikōura earthquake]], which was centred between Culverden and Kaikōura in the South Island, caused the Wellington CBD, [[Victoria University of Wellington]], and the [[Public transport in the Wellington Region#Trains|Wellington suburban rail network]] to be largely closed for the day to allow inspections. The earthquake damaged a considerable number of buildings, with 65% of the damage being in Wellington. Subsequently, a number of recent buildings were demolished rather than being rebuilt, often a decision made by the insurer. Two of the buildings demolished were about eleven years old – the seven-storey [[NZDF]] headquarters<ref>{{cite web|date=3 March 2017|title=Defence House in Wellington to be demolished after investigations show repairs to earthquake damage uneconomic|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11811572|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928121800/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11811572|archive-date=28 September 2018|access-date=16 May 2018|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=3 March 2017|title=Freyberg House to be demolished|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/90039055/freyberg-house-to-be-demolished-doe-to-earthquake-damage|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181753/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/90039055/freyberg-house-to-be-demolished-doe-to-earthquake-damage|archive-date=9 January 2018|access-date=16 May 2018|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand}}</ref> and Statistics House at Centreport on the waterfront.<ref>{{cite web|date=26 July 2017|title=Unacceptable performance of building says Minister|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/100213379/demolition-begins-on-earthquakedamaged-statistics-house-in-wellington|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110063441/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/100213379/demolition-begins-on-earthquakedamaged-statistics-house-in-wellington|archive-date=10 January 2018|access-date=16 May 2018|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand}}</ref> The docks were closed for several weeks after the earthquake.<ref>{{cite web|date=31 July 2017|title=Maersk to return to Wellington when CentrePort's cranes are repaired|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/95292005/maersk-to-return-to-wellington-when-centreports-cranes-are-repaired|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928083156/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/95292005/maersk-to-return-to-wellington-when-centreports-cranes-are-repaired|archive-date=28 September 2018|access-date=28 September 2018|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand}}</ref>

===Relief===
Steep landforms shape and constrain much of Wellington city. Notable hills in and around Wellington include:
* [[Mount Victoria (Wellington hill)|Mount Victoria]] – 196 m. Mt Vic is a popular walk for tourists and Wellingtonians alike, as from the summit one can see most of Wellington. There are numerous mountain bike and walking tracks on the hill.
* Mount Albert<ref>{{cite book|last1=Harper|first1=Laura|last2=Mudd|first2=Tony|last3=Whitfield|first3=Paul|title=New Zealand|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aiIrweIMckQC|series=Rough Guide Travel Guides|publisher=Rough Guides|date=2002|page=504|isbn=9781858288963|access-date=9 August 2016|quote=Highlights include the sweeping views from the lookout at the Mount Victoria summit (196m) and from Mount Albert (178m) [...].|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224095224/https://books.google.com/books?id=aiIrweIMckQC|archive-date=24 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> – 178 m
* [[Mount Cook, Wellington|Mount Cook]]
* Mount Alfred (west of Evans Bay)<ref>{{cite book|title=Wise's New Zealand Index|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sxk6AQAAIAAJ|publisher=H. Wise & Co. (N.Z.) Ltd|date=1948|page=245|access-date=9 August 2016|quote=Mount Alfred. West of Evans Bay, Wellington; 400ft.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224124057/https://books.google.com/books?id=Sxk6AQAAIAAJ|archive-date=24 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> – 122 m
* [[Mount Kaukau]] – 445 m. Site of Wellington's main television transmitter.
* Mount Crawford<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wake|first1=Jenny|title=The Making of King Kong: The Official Guide to the Motion Picture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f-s5WrQTHlMC|location=New York|publisher=Simon and Schuster|date=2005|page=111|isbn=9781416505181|access-date=9 August 2016|quote=The native village and wall set, too big to build in a soundstage, was erected outside on nearby Mount Crawford, a hill overlooking Wellington harbor.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224124132/https://books.google.com/books?id=f-s5WrQTHlMC|archive-date=24 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Brooklyn Hill – 299 m
* [[Wrights Hill Fortress|Wrights Hill]]
* Mākara Peak – summit (412{{nbsp}}m) is within the 250{{nbsp}}ha [[Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park]] that includes 45{{nbsp}}km of trails<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/outdoors/parks-and-reserves/outer-green-belt-reserves/makara-peak-mountain-bike-park|title=Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park|date=3 May 2021|publisher=[[Wellington City Council]] |access-date=13 June 2021}}</ref>
* [[Te Ahumairangi Hill|Te Ahumairangi (Tinakori) Hill]]

===Climate===
Averaging 2,055 hours of sunshine per year, the climate of Wellington is temperate [[Oceanic climate|marine]], ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb'', [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''Cflk''), generally moderate all year round with warm summers and cool to mild winters, and rarely sees temperatures above {{convert|26|°C|0|abbr=on}} or below {{convert|4|°C|0|abbr=on}}. The hottest recorded temperature in the city is {{convert|31.1|°C|0|abbr=on}} recorded on 20 February 1896{{citation needed|date=January 2023|reason=the Metservice souce cited at the end of the sentence does not include this fact}}, while {{convert|-1.9|°C|0|abbr=on}} is the coldest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://about.metservice.com/our-company/learning-centre/climate-summary/|title=Climate Summary|website=MetService|access-date=31 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122071750/https://about.metservice.com/our-company/learning-centre/climate-summary/|archive-date=22 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The city is notorious for its southerly blasts in winter, which may make the temperature feel much colder. It is generally very windy all year round with high rainfall; average annual rainfall is {{convert|1250|mm|0|abbr=on}}, June and July being the wettest months. [[Frost]]s are quite common in the hill suburbs and the [[Hutt Valley]] between May and September. Snow is very rare at low altitudes, although snow fell on the city and many other parts of the Wellington region during separate [[2011 New Zealand snowstorms|events]] on 25 July 2011 and 15 August 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5333010/Snow-surge-forecast-for-lower-North-Island|title=Snow spotted in central Wellington|work=The Dominion Post|location=Wellington|date=25 July 2011|access-date=1 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025072529/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5333010/Snow-surge-forecast-for-lower-North-Island|archive-date=25 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5442969/Snow-falls-in-downtown-Wellington|title=Snow falls in downtown Wellington|work=The Dominion Post|location=Wellington|date=15 August 2011|access-date=15 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025154053/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5442969/Snow-falls-in-downtown-Wellington|archive-date=25 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Snow at higher altitudes is more common, with light flurries recorded in higher suburbs every few years.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morgan|first=Ella|date=6 September 2022|title=Did it actually snow in Wellington? It all depends on the shape of what's falling|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/300680194/did-it-actually-snow-in-wellington-it-all-depends-on-the-shape-of-whats-falling|access-date=3 October 2022|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand}}</ref>

On 29 January 2019, the suburb of Kelburn (instruments near the old [[Metservice]] building in the [[Wellington Botanic Garden]]) reached {{convert|30.3|C|F|0}}, the highest temperature since records began in 1927.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12198116|title=Temperature record broken in Wellington, warm weather to last to weekend|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=29 January 2019|access-date=29 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129122945/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12198116|archive-date=29 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Wellington ([[Kelburn, New Zealand|Kelburn]]) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1862–present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 30.3
|Feb record high C = 31.1
|Mar record high C = 28.3
|Apr record high C = 27.3
|May record high C = 22.0
|Jun record high C = 20.6
|Jul record high C = 18.9
|Aug record high C = 20.3
|Sep record high C = 21.9
|Oct record high C = 25.1
|Nov record high C = 26.9
|Dec record high C = 29.1
|year record high C = 31.1
|Jan record low C = 4.1
|Feb record low C = 4.7
|Mar record low C = 3.6
|Apr record low C = 2.1
|May record low C = -0.7
|Jun record low C = -1.2
|Jul record low C = -1.9
|Aug record low C = -1.6
|Sep record low C = -0.6
|Oct record low C = 1.1
|Nov record low C = 1.7
|Dec record low C = 3.4
|year record low C = -1.9
| Jan avg record high C  = 26.1
| Feb avg record high C  = 25.3
| Mar avg record high C  = 24.0
| Apr avg record high C  = 20.8
| May avg record high C  = 18.3
| Jun avg record high C  = 16.3
| Jul avg record high C  = 15.2
| Aug avg record high C  = 16.1
| Sep avg record high C  = 17.4
| Oct avg record high C  = 18.8
| Nov avg record high C  = 21.9
| Dec avg record high C  = 23.9
| year avg record high C = 27.1
|Jan high C = 	20.3
|Feb high C = 	20.6
|Mar high C = 	19.1
|Apr high C = 	16.7
|May high C = 	14.6
|Jun high C = 	12.4
|Jul high C = 	11.7
|Aug high C = 	12.4
|Sep high C = 	13.6
|Oct high C = 	15.1
|Nov high C = 	16.6
|Dec high C = 	18.7
| year high C = 	16.0
|Jan mean C = 	17.0
|Feb mean C = 	17.3
|Mar mean C = 	15.9
|Apr mean C = 	13.8
|May mean C = 	12.0
|Jun mean C = 	9.9
|Jul mean C = 	9.2
|Aug mean C = 	9.7
|Sep mean C = 	10.9
|Oct mean C = 	12.1
|Nov mean C = 	13.5
|Dec mean C = 	15.6
| year mean C = 	13.1
|Jan low C = 	13.7
|Feb low C = 	13.9
|Mar low C = 	12.7
|Apr low C = 	11.0
|May low C = 	9.4
|Jun low C = 	7.3
|Jul low C = 	6.7
|Aug low C = 	7.0
|Sep low C = 	8.1
|Oct low C = 	9.2
|Nov low C = 	10.3
|Dec low C = 	12.4
| year low C = 	10.1
| Jan avg record low C  = 8.6
| Feb avg record low C  = 9.2
| Mar avg record low C  = 7.8
| Apr avg record low C  = 6.2
| May avg record low C  = 4.3
| Jun avg record low C  = 2.9
| Jul avg record low C  = 2.5
| Aug avg record low C  = 2.6
| Sep avg record low C  = 3.1
| Oct avg record low C  = 3.7
| Nov avg record low C  = 5.7
| Dec avg record low C  = 7.7
| year avg record low C = 1.6
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 	79.2
|Feb rain mm = 	55.5
|Mar rain mm = 	99.6
|Apr rain mm = 	126.7
|May rain mm = 	144.9
|Jun rain mm = 	123.8
|Jul rain mm = 	147.1
|Aug rain mm = 	139.1
|Sep rain mm = 	108.0
|Oct rain mm = 	118.7
|Nov rain mm = 	85.4
|Dec rain mm = 	91.1
|year rain mm = 
| Jan rain days = 	6.9
| Feb rain days = 	6.9
| Mar rain days = 	9.3
| Apr rain days = 	10.3
| May rain days = 	13.3
| Jun rain days = 	13.4
| Jul rain days = 	12.8
| Aug rain days = 	12.5
| Sep rain days = 	10.9
| Oct rain days = 	12.4
| Nov rain days = 	9.5
| Dec rain days = 	10.0
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan sun = 	231.8
|Feb sun = 	211.4
|Mar sun = 	204.0
|Apr sun = 	156.4
|May sun = 	133.1
|Jun sun = 	101.2
|Jul sun = 	121.0
|Aug sun = 	147.8
|Sep sun = 	164.4
|Oct sun = 	193.3
|Nov sun = 	211.7
|Dec sun = 	218.0
|year sun = 
| Jan percentsun  =51
| Feb percentsun  =55
| Mar percentsun  =54
| Apr percentsun  =47
| May percentsun  =44
| Jun percentsun  =37
| Jul percentsun  =41
| Aug percentsun  =45
| Sep percentsun  =46
| Oct percentsun  =47
| Nov percentsun  =49
| Dec percentsun  =47
| year percentsun =
| Jan light = 14.8
| Feb light = 13.7
| Mar light = 12.3
| Apr light = 11.0
| May light = 9.8
| Jun light = 9.2
| Jul light = 9.5
| Aug light = 10.5
| Sep light = 11.8
| Oct light = 13.2
| Nov light = 14.4
| Dec light = 15.1
| year light=
| Jan humidity = 	78.3
| Feb humidity = 	80.0
| Mar humidity = 	82.2
| Apr humidity = 	81.8
| May humidity = 	83.7
| Jun humidity = 	85.5
| Jul humidity = 	84.6
| Aug humidity = 	82.9
| Sep humidity = 	78.9
| Oct humidity = 	79.7
| Nov humidity = 	78.0
| Dec humidity = 	78.4
|source 1 = NIWA<ref name = NIWA>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520001949/https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities|archive-date=20 May 2024|url=https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities|title=Climate data and activities|publisher=NIWA|access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="CliFlo">{{cite web|url=http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz|title=CliFlo – National Climate Database|publisher=NIWA|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/|title=CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 3382, 3383, 3385, 3390, 3391, 3431, 25345)|publisher=NIWA|access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>
|source 2 = Weather Spark<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://weatherspark.com/y/144870/Average-Weather-in-Wellington-New-Zealand-Year-Round
|title = Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Wellington
|publisher = Weather Spark
|access-date = 10 Dec 2024}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
| location = [[Paraparaumu]] (2000–2020)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = No
| Jan uv = 11
| Feb uv = 9
| Mar uv = 6
| Apr uv = 4
| May uv = 2
| Jun uv = 1
| Jul uv = 1
| Aug uv = 2
| Sep uv = 4
| Oct uv = 6
| Nov uv = 9
| Dec uv = 11
| year uv = 
| source 1 = NIWA<ref name="CliFlo"/>
}}

{{Weather box
| location = [[Wellington Airport]] (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1962–present)
| collapsed = Yes
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 29.6
| Feb record high C = 30.6
| Mar record high C = 28.3
| Apr record high C = 25.2
| May record high C = 22.0
| Jun record high C = 19.2
| Jul record high C = 18.8
| Aug record high C = 18.3
| Sep record high C = 22.6
| Oct record high C = 23.9
| Nov record high C = 26.8
| Dec record high C = 29.6
| year record high C = 30.6
| Jan avg record high C  = 26.0
| Feb avg record high C  = 25.7
| Mar avg record high C  = 24.2
| Apr avg record high C  = 21.6
| May avg record high C  = 19.1
| Jun avg record high C  = 17.0
| Jul avg record high C  = 15.6
| Aug avg record high C  = 16.4
| Sep avg record high C  = 18.2
| Oct avg record high C  = 19.9
| Nov avg record high C  = 22.2
| Dec avg record high C  = 24.4
| year avg record high C = 27.0
| Jan high C = 21.0
| Feb high C = 21.2
| Mar high C = 19.7
| Apr high C = 17.3
| May high C = 15.4
| Jun high C = 13.2
| Jul high C = 12.5
| Aug high C = 13.0
| Sep high C = 14.4
| Oct high C = 15.8
| Nov high C = 17.4
| Dec high C = 19.6
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = 17.8
| Feb mean C = 18.0
| Mar mean C = 16.6
| Apr mean C = 14.5
| May mean C = 12.7
| Jun mean C = 10.6
| Jul mean C = 9.8
| Aug mean C = 10.3
| Sep mean C = 11.6
| Oct mean C = 13.0
| Nov mean C = 14.4
| Dec mean C = 16.5
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 14.6
| Feb low C = 14.8
| Mar low C = 13.5
| Apr low C = 11.7
| May low C = 10.1
| Jun low C = 8.0
| Jul low C = 7.1
| Aug low C = 7.6
| Sep low C = 8.9
| Oct low C = 10.1
| Nov low C = 11.4
| Dec low C = 13.5
| year low C = 
| Jan avg record low C  = 9.9
| Feb avg record low C  = 9.9
| Mar avg record low C  = 8.4
| Apr avg record low C  = 6.6
| May avg record low C  = 4.3
| Jun avg record low C  = 2.6
| Jul avg record low C  = 1.7
| Aug avg record low C  = 2.3
| Sep avg record low C  = 3.5
| Oct avg record low C  = 4.3
| Nov avg record low C  = 6.4
| Dec avg record low C  = 8.5
| year avg record low C = 1.0
| Jan record low C = 4.3
| Feb record low C = 4.5
| Mar record low C = 4.3
| Apr record low C = 2.3
| May record low C = 0.6
| Jun record low C = -0.6
| Jul record low C = -1.1
| Aug record low C = -1.1
| Sep record low C = -1.0
| Oct record low C = 1.2
| Nov record low C = 2.1
| Dec record low C = 3.8
| year record low C = -1.1
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 60.0
| Feb rain mm = 60.4
| Mar rain mm = 66.0
| Apr rain mm = 79.8
| May rain mm = 88.4
| Jun rain mm = 102.6
| Jul rain mm = 109.7
| Aug rain mm = 94.1
| Sep rain mm = 79.9
| Oct rain mm = 90.9
| Nov rain mm = 74.7
| Dec rain mm = 67.1
| year rain mm = 
| Jan rain days = 6.6
| Feb rain days = 6.3
| Mar rain days = 7.7
| Apr rain days = 8.2
| May rain days = 10.2
| Jun rain days = 12.3
| Jul rain days = 12.0
| Aug rain days = 12.4
| Sep rain days = 10.6
| Oct rain days = 10.3
| Nov rain days = 8.4
| Dec rain days = 8.1
| year rain days = 113.0
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
| Jan humidity = 75.1
| Feb humidity = 76.8
| Mar humidity = 77.6
| Apr humidity = 78.0
| May humidity = 80.0
| Jun humidity = 81.5
| Jul humidity = 81.0
| Aug humidity = 80.0
| Sep humidity = 76.5
| Oct humidity = 75.4
| Nov humidity = 73.6
| Dec humidity = 74.9
| year humidity = 77.5
| source 1 = NIWA<ref name="CliFlo"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/|title=CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 3445)|publisher=NIWA|access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
[[File:ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Wellington Cenotaph - Flickr - NZ Defence Force (2).jpg|thumb|Wellingtonians gathered for the [[Anzac Day]] dawn service (2011).]]

Wellington City covers {{Convert|289.91|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=17 October 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Wellington city|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington city|y}}|R}}/289.91|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. This comprises {{NZ population data 2018|Wellington|y}} people in the Wellington [[urban area]] and {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington city|y}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington|y}}|R}}|0}} people in the surrounding rural areas.<ref name="NZ_population_data_2018" />

{{Historical populations|2006|179,466|2013|190,956|2018|202,737|2023|202,689|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for the territorial area|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Wellington City (047)|wellington-city|Wellington City}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>}}

Wellington City had a population of 202,689 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], a decrease of 48 people (−0.0%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 11,733 people (6.1%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 97,641 males, 102,372 females and 2,673 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 77,835 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.047%2Bw_04701%2Bw_04702%2Bw_04703%2Bw_04704%2Bw_04705.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 9.0% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 34.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 29,142 people (14.4%) aged under 15 years, 55,080 (27.2%) aged 15 to 29, 94,806 (46.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 23,664 (11.7%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 72.1% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 9.8% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 5.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 20.4% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 3.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.3%, Māori language by 2.7%, Samoan by 1.7% and other languages by 23.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 34.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 26.9% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 3.8% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 1.8% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.4% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 1.7% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.5% [[New Age]], 0.3% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]],  and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 57.7%, and 5.2% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 62,484 (36.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 66,657 (38.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24,339 (14.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $55,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 40,872 people (23.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 102,369 (59.0%) people were employed full-time, 24,201 (13.9%) were part-time, and 5,283 (3.0%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.047.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Wellington City (047)}}</ref>
[[File:2023 NZ Census Population Density - Wellington City.png|thumb|Population density in the 2023 census]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+Individual wards
|-
!Name !! Area<br/>(km<sup>2</sup>) !! Population !! Density<br/>(per km<sup>2</sup>) || Dwellings !! Median age !! Median<br/>income
|-
| Takapū/Northern General Ward || style="text-align:right;"|102.88 || style="text-align:right;"|50,466 || style="text-align:right;"|491 || style="text-align:right;"|17,598 || 36.6 years || $55,900<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.w_04701.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Takapū/Northern General Ward}}</ref>
|-
| Wharangi/Onslow-Western General Ward || style="text-align:right;"|125.82 || style="text-align:right;"|42,585 || style="text-align:right;"|338 || style="text-align:right;"|15,858 || 39.1 years || $64,300<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.w_04702.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Wharangi/Onslow-Western General Ward}}</ref>
|-
| Pukehīnau/Lambton General Ward || style="text-align:right;"|9.86 || style="text-align:right;"|40,134 || style="text-align:right;"|4,070 || style="text-align:right;"|17,679 || 29.1 years || $49,700<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.w_04703.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Pukehīnau/Lambton General Ward}}</ref>
|-
| Motukairangi/Eastern General Ward || style="text-align:right;"|16.20 || style="text-align:right;"|36,843 || style="text-align:right;"|2,274 || style="text-align:right;"|14,235 || 37.9 years || $54,500<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.w_04704.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Motukairangi/Eastern General Ward}}</ref>
|-
| Paekawakawa/Southern General Ward || style="text-align:right;"35.15| || style="text-align:right;"|32,658 || style="text-align:right;"|929 || style="text-align:right;"|12,465 || 35.0 years || $54,200<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.w_04705.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Paekawakawa/Southern General Ward}}</ref>
|-
! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! 38.1 years !! style="text-align:left;"| $41,500
|}

===Quality of living===
[[File:WELLINGTON, BOTANICAL GARDENS (44448999).jpg|thumb|right|Leisurely activity at the [[Wellington Botanic Gardens]]]]
Wellington ranks 12th in the world for quality of living, according to a 2023 study by consulting company Mercer. Of cities in the Asia–Pacific region, Wellington ranked third behind Auckland and Sydney.<ref>{{cite web |title=Quality of Living City Ranking 2023 |url=https://www.mercer.com/insights/total-rewards/talent-mobility-insights/quality-of-living-city-ranking/ |website=Mercer |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>

In 2024, Wellington was ranked as a highly affordable city in terms of [[cost of living]], coming in at 145th out of 226 cities in the Mercer worldwide Cost of Living Survey.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cost of Living City Ranking 2024 |url=https://www.mercer.com/insights/total-rewards/talent-mobility-insights/cost-of-living/ |website=Mercer |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>

In 2019, Mercer ranked cities on personal safety, including internal stability, crime levels, law enforcement, limitations on personal freedom, relationships with other countries and freedom of the press. Wellington shared ninth place internationally with Auckland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2019 |title=Auckland world's number 3 in Quality of Living for eighth consecutive year |url=https://www.mercer.com/en-nz/about/newsroom/auckland-worlds-number-three-in-quality-of-living-for-eighth-consecutive-year/ |access-date=21 November 2024 |website=Mercer}}</ref>
[[File:Government House front.jpg|thumb|[[Government House, Wellington|Government House]] – the residence of the [[Governor-General of New Zealand]]]]

===Culture and identity===
In addition to governmental institutions, Wellington accommodates several of the nation's largest and oldest cultural institutions, such as the [[Archives New Zealand|National Archives]], the [[National Library of New Zealand|National Library]], New Zealand's national museum, [[Te Papa]] and numerous theatres. It plays host to many artistic and cultural organisations, including the [[New Zealand Symphony Orchestra]] and [[Royal New Zealand Ballet]]. Its architectural attractions include the [[Old Government Buildings, Wellington|Old Government Buildings]] – one of the largest wooden buildings in the world – as well as the iconic [[Beehive (New Zealand)|Beehive]], the executive wing of [[New Zealand Parliament Buildings|Parliament Buildings]] as well as internationally renowned [[Futuna Chapel]]. The city's art scene includes many art galleries, including the national art collection at Toi Art at Te Papa.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Baker|first=Francesca|date=14 May 2014|title=Cultural Guide to Wellington {{!}} The Coolest Little Capital|url=https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/new-zealand/articles/cultural-guide-to-wellington-the-coolest-little-capital/|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Culture Trip}}</ref> Wellington also has many events such as [[CubaDupa]], [[Wellington On a Plate]], the [[Newtown, New Zealand#Newtown Festival|Newtown Festival]], Diwali Festival of Lights and Gardens Magic at the Botanical Gardens.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Media|first=ShermansTravel|title=Kiwi Culture in Wellington: New Zealand's Creative Capital {{!}} ShermansTravel|url=https://www.shermanstravel.com/advice/kiwi-culture-in-wellington-new-zealand-creative-capital|access-date=23 July 2021|website=shermanstravel.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=10 October 2022|title=Diwali|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/events-and-festivals/diwali|access-date=24 October 2022|website=[[Wellington City Council]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2 September 2022|title=Gardens Magic|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/events-and-festivals/gardens-magic|access-date=24 October 2022|website=[[Wellington City Council]] }}</ref>

[[File:NZ WL St Mary of the Angels (3).jpg|thumb|220x220px|[[St Mary of the Angels, Wellington|St Mary of the Angels]] Catholic Church]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|+Ethnic groups of Wellington metro residents, 2006–23 census<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ethnic group (detailed total response – level 3) by age and sex, for the census usually resident population count, 2006, 2013, and 2018 Censuses (RC, TA, SA2, DHB)|url=http://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE8321|access-date=21 February 2022|website=nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>
|-
! rowspan="2" | Ethnicity !! colspan="2" | 2006 census !! colspan="2" | 2013 census !! colspan="2" |2018 census !! colspan="2" |2023 census
|-
! Number !! % !! Number !! % !! Number !! % !! Number !! %
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | European || 121,296 || 70.1 || 139,107 || 76.4 || 150,198 || 74.1 || 146,208 || 72.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Māori || 13,335 || 7.7 || 14,433 || 7.9 || 17,409 || 8.6 || 19,878 || 9.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Pacific peoples || 8,931 || 5.2 || 8,928 || 4.9 || 10,392 || 5.1 || 11,565 || 5.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Asian || 22,851 || 13.2 || 28,542 || 15.7 || 37,158 || 18.3 || 41,436 || 20.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Middle Eastern/Latin American/African || 3,615 || 2.1 || 4,494 || 2.5 || 6,135 || 3.0 || 7,356 || 3.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Other || 18,384 || 10.6 || 3,351 || 1.8 || 2,892 || 1.4 || 2,166 || 1.1
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Total people stated || 172,971 || || 182,121 || || 202,737 || || 202,689
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Not elsewhere included || 6,492 || 3.8 || 8,835 || 4.9 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0.0
|}

===Urban area===
Wellington's urban area covers {{Convert|112.71|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area"/> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Wellington|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington|y}}|R}}/112.71|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|2013|190,113|2018|201,792|2023|201,708|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for the urban area|source=<ref name="Census 2023 UA"/>}}
The urban area had a population of 201,708 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], a decrease of 84 people (−0.0%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 11,595 people (6.1%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 97,143 males, 101,898 females and 2,667 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 77,472 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1402.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 9.0% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 34.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 28,986 people (14.4%) aged under 15 years, 54,912 (27.2%) aged 15 to 29, 94,272 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 23,541 (11.7%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023 UA"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 72.0% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 9.8% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 5.7% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 20.5% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 3.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.3%, Māori language by 2.7%, Samoan by 1.8% and other languages by 23.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 34.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 26.9% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 3.8% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 1.8% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.4% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 1.7% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.5% [[New Age]], 0.3% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]],  and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 57.6%, and 5.2% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 62,259 (36.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 66,273 (38.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24,219 (14.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $55,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 40,632 people (23.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 101,892 (59.0%) people were employed full-time, 24,063 (13.9%) were part-time, and 5,268 (3.0%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023 UA">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1402.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Wellington (1402)}}</ref>

==Architecture==
{{Further| List of tallest buildings in Wellington}}
[[File:Public Trust building 131-135 Lambton Quay 2021-08-21.tif|left|thumb|The old [[Public Trust Building]] in Lambton Quay is an example of Edwardian architecture in Wellington, built from a solid granite and brick veneer.]]
Wellington showcases a variety of architectural styles from the past 150 years – 19th-century wooden cottages, such as the [[Italianate]] [[Katherine Mansfield Birthplace]] in Thorndon; streamlined [[Art Deco]] structures such as the old [[Wellington Free Ambulance]] headquarters, the Central Fire Station, Fountain Court Apartments, the [[City Gallery Wellington|City Gallery]], and the [[former Post and Telegraph Building]]; and the curves and vibrant colours of post-modern architecture in the CBD.

The oldest building is the 1858 [[Nairn Street Cottage]] in [[Mount Cook, Wellington|Mount Cook]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/1444|title=Nairn Street Cottage|publisher=[[Heritage New Zealand]] |access-date=3 January 2022}}</ref> The tallest building is the [[Majestic Centre]] on Willis Street at 116 metres high, the second-tallest being the [[structural expressionist]] [[Aon Centre (Wellington)]] at 103 metres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=stateinsurancetower-wellington-newzealand|title=Emporis.com|publisher=Emporis.com|date=11 November 2006|access-date=6 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930065342/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=stateinsurancetower-wellington-newzealand|archive-date=30 September 2007|url-status=usurped}}</ref> [[Futuna Chapel]] in [[Karori]] is an iconic building designed by Māori architect John Scott and is architecturally considered one of the most significant New Zealand buildings of the 20th century.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Jim|title=A grave concern|url=https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/a-grave-concern/|website=Architecture Now}}</ref> [[File:Old St Paul's church, Wellington, 2016-01-25.jpg|thumb|[[Old St Paul's, Wellington|Old St Paul's]] was the Anglican [[pro-cathedral]], and is one of the oldest structures in Wellington.|225x225px]] [[Old St Paul's, Wellington|Old St Paul's]] is an example of 19th-century [[Gothic Revival architecture]] adapted to colonial conditions and materials, as is [[St Mary of the Angels, Wellington|St Mary of the Angels]]. [[Sacred Heart Cathedral, Wellington|Sacred Heart Cathedral]] is a [[Palladian architecture|Palladian Revival]] [[Basilica]] with the [[Portico]] of a [[Roman Temple|Roman or Greek temple]]. The [[Museum of Wellington City & Sea]] in the [[Wellington Harbour Board Head Office and Bond Store|Bond Store]] is in the [[Second French Empire]] style, and the [[Wellington Harbour Board Wharf Office Building]] is in a late English Classical style. There are several restored theatre buildings: the [[St. James Theatre, Wellington|St James Theatre]], the [[Opera House, Wellington|Opera House]] and the [[Embassy Theatre, Wellington|Embassy Theatre]].

[[Civic Square, Wellington|Te Ngākau Civic Square]] is surrounded by the [[Wellington Town Hall|Town Hall]] and council offices, the [[Michael Fowler Centre]], the [[Wellington Central Library]], the [[City-to-Sea bridge, Wellington|City-to-Sea Bridge]], and the [[City Gallery Wellington|City Gallery]].

As it is the capital city, there are many notable government buildings. The Executive Wing of [[New Zealand Parliament Buildings]], on the corner of Lambton Quay and Molesworth Street, was constructed between 1969 and 1981 and is commonly referred to as [[Beehive (New Zealand)|the Beehive]]. Across the road is the largest wooden building in the [[Southern Hemisphere]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/historic/by-region/wellington-kapiti/wellington/government-buildings/|title=Department of Conservation|publisher=Doc.govt.nz|date=29 August 2006|access-date=6 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210022222/http://doc.govt.nz/conservation/historic/by-region/wellington-kapiti/wellington/government-buildings/|archive-date=10 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> part of the [[Government Buildings (Wellington, NZ)|old Government Buildings]] which now houses part of [[Victoria University of Wellington]]'s Law Faculty.
[[File:Old Government Buildings - whole.JPG|thumb|[[Old Government Buildings, Wellington|Old Government Buildings]], Lambton Quay, the second-largest wooden building in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere]]
A modernist building housing the [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]] lies on the waterfront, on Cable Street. It is strengthened using [[base isolation]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holmesgroup.com/assets/Uploads/pdfs/2001HCGBaseIsolationDesignGuidelines.pdf|title=Base Isolation|access-date=10 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319185155/http://www.holmesgroup.com/assets/Uploads/pdfs/2001HCGBaseIsolationDesignGuidelines.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2013}}</ref> – essentially seating the entire building on supports made from lead, steel and rubber that slow down the effect of an earthquake.

Other notable buildings include [[Wellington Town Hall]], [[Wellington railway station]], [[Dominion Museum]] (now [[Massey University]]), [[Aon Centre (Wellington)]], [[Wellington Regional Stadium]], and [[Wellington Airport]] at [[Rongotai]]. Leading architects include [[Frederick Thatcher]], [[Frederick de Jersey Clere]], [[W. Gray Young]], [[Bill Alington]], [[Ian Athfield]], [[Roger Walker (architect)|Roger Walker]]. [[File:Wellington, May 2015 (20c).JPG|thumb|[[Te Wharewaka o Poneke]] on the Wellington waterfront]]Wellington contains many iconic sculptures and structures, such as [[the Bucket Fountain]] in [[Cuba Street, Wellington|Cuba Street]] and ''Invisible City'' by [[Anton Parsons]] on Lambton Quay. Kinetic sculptures have been commissioned, such as the [[Zephyrometer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://texture.co.nz/blogs/reviews/archive/2008/09/23/kinetic-sculpture-by-tony-nicholls-enjoy-public-art-gallery.aspx|title=Kinetic Sculpture by Tony Nicholls – Enjoy Public Art Gallery|access-date=28 July 2009|publisher=Texture – Wellington, New Zealand|date=23 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930100920/http://texture.co.nz/blogs/reviews/archive/2008/09/23/kinetic-sculpture-by-tony-nicholls-enjoy-public-art-gallery.aspx|archive-date=30 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> This 26-metre orange spike built for movement by artist Phil Price has been described as "tall, soaring and elegantly simple", which "reflects the swaying of the yacht masts in the Evans Bay Marina behind it" and "moves like the needle on the dial of a nautical instrument, measuring the speed of the sea or wind or vessel."<ref>{{cite web|title=Zephyrometer – The second of the Meridian Energy wind sculptures|url=http://www.sculpture.org.nz/engine/SID/10018/AID/1105.htm|date=1 August 2014|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801063533/http://www.sculpture.org.nz/engine/SID/10018/AID/1105.htm|archive-date=1 August 2014|url-status=dead|publisher=Wellington Sculpture Trust}}</ref>

Wellington has many different architectural styles, such as classic [[Painted ladies|Painted Ladies]] in [[Mount Victoria (Wellington suburb)|Mount Victoria]], [[Newtown, New Zealand|Newtown]] and [[Oriental Bay]], Wooden [[Art Deco]] houses spread throughout (especially further north in the [[Hutt Valley]]), the classic masonry buildings in Cuba Street, [[State housing in New Zealand|state houses]] particularly in the Hutt and Wellington's southern suburbs, [[Railways Department's Housing Scheme|railway houses]] in [[Ngaio, New Zealand|Ngaio]] and other railway-side suburbs, large modern buildings in the city centre (such as the distinctive skyscraper called the [[Majestic Centre]]) and grand Victorian buildings common in the inner city as well.

==Housing and real estate==
{{See also|Housing in New Zealand}}
[[File:N2 Oriental Bay.jpg|thumb|Apartments at [[Oriental Bay]]]]<!--leave image here to avoid blank lines-->

The early buildings of Wellington were mostly made from timber due to ample supply. The [[1848 Marlborough earthquake]] destroyed most brick buildings leading to most buildings using timber. Fires tore through the city early on due to the large amount of wooden buildings and the first municipal government tried to establish a building code preventing the use of inflammable materials. The council's actions were controversial and opposed by local architects and businessmen. The regulations were gradually weakened due to lack of enforcement and a desire to keep construction busy during the [[Long Depression]]. Despite the suggestion from [[Charles Tringham]] to include regulations around earthquake susceptibility there was not any adoption of regulations designed to reduce the risk of collapse form an earthquake.<ref name="raupo2deco"/>{{RP|51–63}}

=== House prices ===

==== Historic ====
Wellington experienced a real estate boom in the early 2000s and the effects of the international property bust at the start of 2007. In 2005, the market was described as "robust".<ref>{{cite news|author=Anne Gibson|title=Robust market sprouts apartments|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=3 August 2005|access-date=29 July 2009|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10338845|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105050154/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10338845|archive-date=5 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2008, property values had declined by about 9.3% over a 12-month period, according to one estimate. More expensive properties declined more steeply, sometimes by as much as 20%.<ref>{{cite news|author=Andrea Milner|title=Post properties get biggest pounding|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=21 June 2009|access-date=29 July 2009|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wellington-region/news/article.cfm?l_id=153&objectid=10579767|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105174204/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wellington-region/news/article.cfm?l_id=153&objectid=10579767|archive-date=5 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> "From 2004 to early 2007, rental yields were eroded and positive cash flow in property investments disappeared as house values climbed faster than rents. Then that trend reversed and yields slowly began improving", according to two ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'' reporters writing in May 2009.<ref name="Andrea Milner and Jonathan Milne">{{cite news|author=Andrea Milner and Jonathan Milne|title=Real Estate: Rental buys looking good|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=29 July 2009|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=10571367|date=10 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830025701/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=10571367|archive-date=30 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In the middle of 2009, house prices had dropped, interest rates were low, and buy-to-let property investment was again looking attractive, particularly in the Lambton precinct, according to these two reporters.<ref name="Andrea Milner and Jonathan Milne" />

==== Current ====
Since 2009, house prices in Wellington have increased significantly. In May 2021, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) reported the median house price was $1,057,000 in Wellington City, $930,000 in Porirua, $873,500 in Lower Hutt and $828,000 in Upper Hutt, compared to a national median house price of $820,000.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 January 2021|title=Monthly Property Report|url=https://www.reinz.co.nz/Media/Default/Statistic%20Documents/2020/December/REINZ%20Monthly%20Property%20Report%20-%20December%202020.pdf|access-date=23 January 2021|publisher=REINZ|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116041217/https://www.reinz.co.nz/Media/Default/Statistic%20Documents/2020/December/REINZ%20Monthly%20Property%20Report%20-%20December%202020.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
The substantial increase in house prices has made it difficult for first home buyers to purchase a home in the city and is also credited with pushing up the house prices in neighbouring cities like Porirua.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Te Ora|first=Ethan|date=12 March 2021|title=Wellington's median house price soars to $1.1m, while Porirua jumps by $273,000 in one month|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/housing-affordability/124504737/wellingtons-median-house-price-soars-to-11m-while-porirua-jumps-by-273000-in-one-month|access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref> Wellington house prices peaked in February 2022, and by December 2023 had fallen by 25%.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Nicola |date=23 December 2023 |title=When will house prices return to their pre-slump peaks? |url=https://www.oneroof.co.nz/news/when-will-house-prices-return-to-their-pre-slump-peaks-44645 |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=OneRoof}}</ref>

Housing costs have been identified as making it difficult for some professions, like nurses, to afford to live in Wellington.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Witton|first=Bridie|title=High turnover of nurses in Wellington's emergency department worries union|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/125400959/high-turnover-of-nurses-in-wellingtons-emergency-department-worries-union|access-date=25 June 2021|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand|date=10 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Witton|first=Bridie|date=28 May 2021|title=Capital's housing crisis hits bowel screening programme as nurses leave for more affordable regions|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/wellington-top-stories/125252258/capitals-housing-crisis-hits-bowel-screening-programme-as-nurses-leave-for-more-affordable-regions|access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref> The median rent in Wellington has also increased significantly in recent years to $600 per week, higher even than Auckland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wellington the first region to top $600 median weekly rent, Porirua reaches $680|date=11 February 2021|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/124207576/wellington-the-first-region-to-top-600-median-weekly-rent-porirua-reaches-680|access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref>

=== Housing quality ===
Despite the high cost of housing in the capital, the quality of housing in Wellington has been criticised as being poor. 18.4% of houses in Wellington City are sometimes or always mouldy and 24% are sometimes or always damp.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McKenzie|first=Peter|date=7 October 2020|title=Welcome to Mouldy-wood, Aotearoa|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/07-10-2020/welcome-to-mouldy-wood-aotearoa/|access-date=25 June 2021|website=[[The Spinoff]] }}</ref> Both of these are higher than the New Zealand average.

=== Demographics ===
[[File:Classic weatherboards in Wellington, NZ.jpg|thumb|left|A row of classic [[weatherboard|weatherboard houses]] in the [[Mount Victoria (Wellington suburb)|Mount Victoria]] neighbourhood, emblematic of the style of the area]]
A Wellington City Council survey conducted in March 2009 found the typical central city apartment dweller was a New Zealand native aged 24 to 35 with a professional job in the downtown area, with household income higher than surrounding areas.<ref name="Apartment Dwellers">{{cite web|url=http://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/services/environment-and-waste/urban-development/files/apartment-survey-report.pdf|title=Central City Apartment Dwellers Survey – a summary of results|date=March 2009|work=Wellington Government|access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111044619/http://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/services/environment-and-waste/urban-development/files/apartment-survey-report.pdf|archive-date=11 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Three-quarters (73%) walked to work or university, 13% travelled by car, 6% by bus, 2% bicycled (although 31% own bicycles), and did not travel very far since 73% worked or studied in the central city.<ref name="Apartment Dwellers" /> The large majority (88%) did not have children in their apartments; 39% were couples without children; 32% were single-person households; 15% were groups of people flatting together.<ref name="Apartment Dwellers" /> Most (56%) owned their apartment; 42% rented.<ref name="Apartment Dwellers" /> The report continued: "The four most important reasons for living in an apartment were given as lifestyle and city living (23%), close to work (20%), close to shops and cafes (11%) and low maintenance (11%) ... City noise and noise from neighbours were the main turnoffs for apartment dwellers (27%), followed by a lack of outdoor space (17%), living close to neighbours (9%) and apartment size and a lack of storage space (8%)."<ref name="Apartment Dwellers" /><ref>{{cite news|title=It's a great life downtown ... except for the noise|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=14 April 2009|access-date=29 July 2009|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wellington-city-council/news/article.cfm?o_id=240&objectid=10566448|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105044435/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wellington-city-council/news/article.cfm?o_id=240&objectid=10566448|archive-date=5 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Households are primarily one-family, making up 66.9% of households, followed by single-person households (24.7%); there were fewer multiperson households and even fewer households containing two or more families. These counts are from the 2013 census for the Wellington region (which includes the surrounding area in addition to the four cities).<ref>{{NZ Quickstats2013|14322|Wellington Region}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{see also|Category:Companies based in Wellington}}
[[File:Wellington at dawn.jpg|thumb|[[Wellington Central]], [[Te Aro]] and [[Kelburn, New Zealand|Kelburn]] in the background]]
[[Wellington Harbour]] ranks as one of New Zealand's chief seaports and serves both domestic and international shipping. The port handles approximately 10.5 million tonnes of cargo on an annual basis,<ref>{{cite web|title=Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://www.centreport.co.nz/faqs|website=centreport.co.nz|access-date=10 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081457/http://www.centreport.co.nz/faqs|archive-date=11 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> importing petroleum products, motor vehicles, minerals and exporting meats, wood products, dairy products, wool, and fruit. Many [[cruise ship]]s also use the port.
[[File:Buildings at Lambton Quay in Wellington.jpg|thumb|236x236px|[[Lambton Quay]] in the central business district]]
The Government sector has long been a mainstay of the economy, which has typically risen and fallen with it. Traditionally, its central location meant it was the location of many head offices of various sectors – particularly finance, technology and heavy industry – many of which have since relocated to Auckland following economic deregulation and privatisation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wellington-region/page-11|title=The Encyclopedia of NZ – Economic fall and rise: 1976–2006|publisher=Te Ara|date=13 July 2012|access-date=16 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905154140/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wellington-region/page-11|archive-date=5 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/7327389/Wellington-businesses-are-fighting-back|title=Wellington businesses are fighting back|author=Terry Hall|work=The Dominion Post|location=Wellington|date=23 July 2012|access-date=28 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825074107/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/7327389/Wellington-businesses-are-fighting-back|archive-date=25 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

In recent years, tourism, arts and culture, film, and [[information and communications technology|ICT]] have played a bigger role in the economy. Wellington's median income is well above the average in New Zealand,<ref>{{cite web|title=Living in Wellington|url=http://www2.careers.govt.nz/life_wellington.html|date=19 December 2008|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219095222/http://www2.careers.govt.nz/life_wellington.html|archive-date=19 December 2008|url-status=dead|publisher=[[Careers New Zealand]]}}</ref> and the highest of all New Zealand cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emigratenz.org/nz-cities-compared.html|title=Comparison of New Zealand cities|publisher=Emigrate New Zealand|year=2006|access-date=26 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223182459/http://www.emigratenz.org/nz-cities-compared.html|archive-date=23 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> It has a much higher proportion of people with tertiary qualifications than the national average.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wellington Facts & Figures – Census Summaries – 2006 – Occupation & Qualifications – New Zealand|url=http://www.wellington.govt.nz/aboutwgtn/glance/census/occupation.html|date=10 February 2013|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210015112/http://wellington.govt.nz/aboutwgtn/glance/census/occupation.html|archive-date=10 February 2013|url-status=dead|publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]]}}</ref> Major companies with their headquarters in Wellington include:

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Wellington Harbour|Centreport]]
* [[Chorus Limited|Chorus Networks]]
* [[Contact Energy]]
* [[The Co-operative Bank (New Zealand)|The Cooperative Bank]]
* [[Datacom Group]]
* [[Infratil]]
* [[Kiwibank]]
* [[Meridian Energy]]
* [[NZ Post]]
* [[NZX]]
* [[Todd Corporation]]
* [[Trade Me]]
* [[Weta Digital]]
* [[Wellington Airport]]
* [[Xero (software)|Xero]]
* [[Z Energy]]
{{div col end}}

At the 2013 census, the largest employment industries for Wellington residents were professional, scientific and technical services (25,836 people), public administration and safety (24,336 people), health care and social assistance (17,446 people), education and training (16,550 people) and retail trade (16,203 people).<ref>{{cite web|title=2013 Census QuickStats about work and unpaid activities|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/qs-work-unpaid/2013-census-qs-work-unpaid-activities-tables.xls|publisher=Statistics New Zealand|date=31 March 2015|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115203256/http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/qs-work-unpaid/2013-census-qs-work-unpaid-activities-tables.xls|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, Wellington is an important centre of the New Zealand film and theatre industry, and second to Auckland in terms of numbers of screen industry businesses.<ref name="Statistics New Zealand">{{cite web|publisher=Statistics New Zealand|year=2008|url=http://search.stats.govt.nz/nav/ct2/industrysectors_filmtelevision/ct1/industrysectors/0|title=Screen Industry Survey: 2007/08 – (spreadsheet – see pages 5, 8)|access-date=1 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808034612/http://search.stats.govt.nz/nav/ct2/industrysectors_filmtelevision/ct1/industrysectors/0|archive-date=8 August 2009}}</ref>

===Tourism===
{{See also|Tourism in New Zealand}}
[[File:Wellington Zoo Elephant House.JPG|thumb|Elephant House at [[Wellington Zoo]]]]
[[Tourism]] is a major contributor to the city's economy, injecting approximately NZ$1.3&nbsp;billion into the region annually and accounting for 9% of total FTE employment.<ref>BERL Economics, 2011</ref> The city is consistently named as New Zealanders' favourite destination in the quarterly FlyBuys Colmar Brunton Mood of the Traveller survey<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tianz.org.nz/main/mood-of-the-traveller/|title=Mood of the Traveller|publisher=tianz.org.nz|access-date=6 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425182139/http://www.tianz.org.nz/main/mood-of-the-traveller/|archive-date=25 April 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and it was ranked fourth in [[Lonely Planet]] Best in Travel 2011's Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2011.<ref name="Lonely Planet">{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/press/2010/11/01/lonely-planet-names-wellington-one-of-2011%E2%80%99s-top-10-cities/|title=Lonely Planet Names Wellington One of 2011's Top 10 Cities|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]|date=1 November 2010|access-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016053207/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/press/2010/11/01/lonely-planet-names-wellington-one-of-2011%E2%80%99s-top-10-cities/|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> New Zealanders make up the largest visitor market, with 3.6&nbsp;million visits each year; New Zealand visitors spend on average NZ$2.4&nbsp;million a day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/By-Region/North-Island/Wellington-RTO/|title=Wellington RTO Tourism Forecasts|publisher=tourism.govt.nz|access-date=6 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426152308/http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/By-Region/North-Island/Wellington-RTO/|archive-date=26 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> There are approximately 540,000 international visitors each year, who spend 3.7&nbsp;million nights and NZ$436&nbsp;million. The largest international visitor market is Australia, with over 210,000 visitors, spending approximately NZ$334&nbsp;million annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/Data--Analysis/International-tourism/International-Visitors/|title=International Visitor Survey|publisher=tourismresearch.govt.nz|access-date=6 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429082811/http://www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/Data--Analysis/International-tourism/International-Visitors/|archive-date=29 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
It has been argued that the construction of the [[Te Papa]] museum helped transform Wellington into a tourist destination.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kaino|first1=Lorna|title=What Difference Does a Museum Make? TE Papa's Contribution to the New Zealand Economy|journal=Media International Australia Incorporating Culture and Policy|year=2005|volume=117|issue=1|pages=31–42|doi=10.1177/1329878X0511700105|s2cid=142242025}}</ref> Wellington is marketed as the 'coolest little capital in the world' by Positively Wellington Tourism, an award-winning regional tourism organisation<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=http://www.wellingtonnz.com/media/positively_wellington_tourism_campaign_awards_again|title=Positively Wellington Tourism Campaign Up for Awards Again|publisher=WellingtonNZ.com|date=27 February 2009|access-date=6 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927012509/http://www.wellingtonnz.com/media/positively_wellington_tourism_campaign_awards_again|archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> set up as a council controlled organisation by Wellington City Council in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wellingtonnz.com/about_us|title=About Us|publisher=WellingtonNZ.com|access-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529114324/http://www.wellingtonnz.com/about_us|archive-date=29 May 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The organisation's council funding comes through the Downtown Levy commercial rate.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rates – How Rates are Calculated – Targeted Rates – Wellington – New Zealand|url=http://wellington.govt.nz/services/rates/ratesexplained/targeted.html|date=10 February 2013|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210212751/http://wellington.govt.nz/services/rates/ratesexplained/targeted.html|archive-date=10 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the decade to 2010, the city saw growth of over 60% in commercial guest nights. It has been promoted through a variety of campaigns and taglines, starting with the iconic Absolutely Positively Wellington advertisements.<ref>{{cite web|title=Absolutely Positively Wellington > WellingtonNZ|url=http://www.wellingtonnz.com/about-us/positively-wellington-tourism/our-campaigns/absolutely-positively-wellington|website=wellingtonnz.com|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620075317/http://www.wellingtonnz.com/about-us/positively-wellington-tourism/our-campaigns/absolutely-positively-wellington|archive-date=20 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The long-term domestic marketing strategy was a finalist in the 2011 CAANZ Media Awards.<ref>{{cite web|title=PWT Campaign Finalist in CAANZ Media Awards {{!}} WellingtonNZ.com|url=http://www.wellingtonnz.com/media/positively_wellington_tourism_campaign_finalist_caanz_media_awards|date=8 April 2011|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927012644/http://www.wellingtonnz.com/media/positively_wellington_tourism_campaign_finalist_caanz_media_awards|archive-date=27 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Wellington (261409365).jpg|thumb|[[Wellington Cable Car]]]]
Popular tourist attractions include [[Museum of Wellington City & Sea|Wellington Museum]], [[Wellington Zoo]], [[Zealandia (wildlife sanctuary)|Zealandia]] and [[Wellington Cable Car]]. [[Cruise ship|Cruise tourism]] is experiencing a major boom in line with nationwide development. The 2010/11 season saw 125,000 passengers and crew visits on 60 liners. There were 80 vessels booked for visits in the 2011/12 season – estimated to inject more than NZ$31&nbsp;million into the economy and representing a 74% increase in the space of two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centreport.co.nz/latest-news/cruise-friendly-destination-hits-record|title=Cruise Friendly Destination Hits Record|publisher=centreport.co.nz|date=1 April 2011|access-date=1 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717015035/http://www.centreport.co.nz/latest-news/cruise-friendly-destination-hits-record|archive-date=17 July 2011}}</ref>

Wellington is a popular conference tourism destination due to its compact nature, cultural attractions, award-winning restaurants and access to government agencies. In the year ending March 2011, there were 6,495 conference events involving nearly 800,000 delegate days; this injected approximately NZ$100&nbsp;million into the economy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Convention Activity Survey|url=http://www.casresearch.co.nz/|date=5 February 2013|access-date=19 June 2015|publisher=Benchmark NZ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205101307/http://www.casresearch.co.nz/|archive-date=5 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==

=== Culture ===
[[File:Bucket Fountain with flowers.jpg|thumb|240x240px|[[Cuba Street, Wellington|Cuba Street]] is considered the microcosm of Wellington's culture, being "quirky" and packed with retail and art, such as the [[Bucket Fountain]] (pictured).]]
Owing to the work of Positively Wellington Tourism in marketing it as "the coolest little capital",<ref name=":3" /> the city has been injected into the global zeitgeist as exactly that.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ferry|first=Peter|date=24 November 2014|title=Wellington, New Zealand: 'The coolest little capital in the world'|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/11/24/wellington-new-zealand-the-coolest-little-capital-in-the-world/|access-date=26 June 2024|website=The Chicago Tribune}}</ref> It has been traditionally acclaimed as New Zealand's "cultural and creative capital".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Media|first=ShermansTravel|title=Kiwi Culture in Wellington: New Zealand's Creative Capital {{!}} ShermansTravel|url=https://www.shermanstravel.com/advice/kiwi-culture-in-wellington-new-zealand-creative-capital|access-date=4 December 2020|website=shermanstravel.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Baker|first=Francesca|title=Cultural Guide to Wellington {{!}} The Coolest Little Capital|url=https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/new-zealand/articles/cultural-guide-to-wellington-the-coolest-little-capital/|access-date=4 December 2020|website=Culture Trip|date=14 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=19 September 2016|title=Huffington Post lauds Wellington's 'remarkable' creative resurgence|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/84406705/huffington-post-lauds-wellingtons-remarkable-creative-resurgence|access-date=4 December 2020|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand}}</ref> The city is known for its coffee scene, with now-globally common foods and drinks such as the [[flat white]] perfected here.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Symons|first=Michael|date=29 January 2012|title=Spilling the beans|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/6331521/Spilling-the-beans|access-date=13 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|website=New Zealand Story|title=Who invented the flat white?|url=https://www.nzstory.govt.nz/stories/who-invented-the-flat-white/|access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref> Wellington has a strong coffee culture – the city has more cafés per capita than [[New York City]] – and was pioneered by [[Italians|Italian]] and [[Greek language|Greek]] immigrants to areas such as [[Mount Victoria (Wellington suburb)|Mount Victoria]], [[Island Bay, New Zealand|Island Bay]] and [[Miramar, New Zealand|Miramar]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Overview|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-daily-grind/overview-1920-1950|access-date=23 July 2021|website=nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref> Nascent influence is derived from [[Ethiopians|Ethiopian]] migrants. Wellington's ethnically diverse population also includes significant [[Malaysian New Zealanders|Malaysian]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Malaysians and Singaporeans|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/malaysians-and-singaporeans/print|access-date=23 July 2021|website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] }}</ref> [[Italian New Zealanders|Italian]], [[Dutch New Zealanders|Dutch]], [[Korean New Zealanders|Korean]], [[Chinese New Zealanders|Chinese]], [[Greek New Zealanders|Greek]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Greeks – the Hellenic community|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/greeks-the-hellenic-community/print|access-date=23 July 2021|website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] }}</ref> [[Indian New Zealanders|Indian]], [[Samoan New Zealanders|Samoan]] and indigenous [[Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika|Taranaki Whānui]] communities. Wellington is noted for is contributions to art, cuisine<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 December 2020|title=Wellington cafe culture|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-daily-grind/overview-1920-1950|access-date=1 June 2021|website=NZ History}}</ref> and international filmmaking (with [[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]] and [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]] being largely produced in the city) among many other factors listed below. The [[World of Wearable Art]]s (WOW) is an annual event that brings lots of visitors to Wellington every year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fuller|first=Piers|date=30 September 2022|title=WOW brings much needed boost to Wellington economy|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/130008609/wow-brings-much-needed-boost-to-wellington-economy|access-date=24 October 2022|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand}}</ref>

==== Museums and cultural institutions ====
[[File:Te papa museum.jpg|thumb|[[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa|Te Papa]] ("Our Place"), the Museum of New Zealand]] [[File:Museum of Wellington City & Sea.jpg|thumb|[[Wellington Museum]] occupies the [[Wellington Harbour Board Head Office and Bond Store|Bond Store]], a classic Victorian building in the French Second Empire style in the early 1890s.]]Wellington is home to many cultural institutions, including [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa|Te Papa]] (the Museum of New Zealand), the [[National Library of New Zealand]], [[Archives New Zealand]], [[Wellington Museum]] (formerly the Wellington Museum of City and Sea), the [[Katherine Mansfield House and Garden]] (formerly Katherine Mansfield Birthplace), [[Colonial Cottage]], the [[Wellington Cable Car]] Museum, the [[Reserve Bank of New Zealand|Reserve Bank]] Museum, [[Old St Paul's, Wellington|Old St Paul's]], the [[New Zealand National War Memorial|National War Memorial]]<ref name="Levine" /> [[Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision|Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision]], [[Capital E]] children's playspace and the [[City Gallery Wellington|Wellington City Gallery]].

====Festivals====
Wellington is home to many high-profile events and cultural celebrations, including the biennial [[New Zealand Festival of the Arts]], biennial Wellington Jazz Festival, biennial Capital E National Arts Festival for Children and major events such as [[World of Wearable Art]], [[TEDxWellington]], [[Cuba Street Carnival]], [[Wellington On a Plate]], [[New Zealand Fringe Festival]], [[New Zealand International Comedy Festival]], New Zealand Affordable Art Show, [[Out In The Square]], Beervana, and [[Homegrown Music Festival (New Zealand)|Homegrown Music Festival]].

The annual children's [[Artsplash Festival]] brings together hundreds of students from across the region. The week-long festival includes music and dance performances and the presentation of visual arts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wellington.govt.nz/events/annual-events/artsplash|title=Artsplash|website=[[Wellington City Council]] |access-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410012004/https://wellington.govt.nz/events/annual-events/artsplash|archive-date=10 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[The Performance Arcade]] is an annual live-art event in shipping containers on the waterfront.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://www.theperformancearcade.com/about|access-date=26 February 2023|website=Performance Arcade 2023}}</ref>

====Film====
Filmmakers [[Peter Jackson|Sir Peter Jackson]], [[Richard Taylor (filmmaker)|Sir Richard Taylor]] and a growing team of creative professionals have turned the eastern suburb of [[Miramar, New Zealand|Miramar]] into a film-making, post-production and special effects infrastructure centre, giving rise to the moniker '[[Wellywood]]'.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Whitfield|first1=Paul|title=The Rough Guide to New Zealand|date=2010|publisher=Rough Guides Limited|isbn=9781405385480|page=417|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SoeG-AykSrYC&pg=PA417|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630052842/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SoeG-AykSrYC&pg=PA417|archive-date=30 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Editorial: Wellywood bonanza may be an illusion|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12080511|access-date=30 June 2018|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=29 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630080827/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12080511|archive-date=30 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Jackson's companies include [[Wētā Workshop]], [[Wētā FX]], Camperdown Studios, post-production house [[Park Road Post]], and Stone Street Studios near Wellington Airport.<ref name="newzealand1">{{cite web|title=Wellington: Film capital of New Zealand|url=https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/wellington-film-capital-of-new-zealand/|website=100% Pure New Zealand|access-date=23 September 2018|quote=Park Road Production A premier post-production facility created by filmmakers for filmmakers, Park Road is home to a huge number of resources to help filmmakers concentrate on the creative process. Only taking on a few projects every year, Park Road has worked on blockbusters like The Adventures of Tintin, District 9, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Last Samurai.  Stone Street Studios Offering a range of production facilities including two massive purpose-built sound stages, a wet stage and four adapter warehouse stages, Stone Street Studios is another world-class resource for filmmakers.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923200815/https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/wellington-film-capital-of-new-zealand/|archive-date=23 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tws0910xx">{{cite news|author=Rebecca Lewis|title=High-flyer Peter Jackson's jet set upgrade|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=12 April 2009|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10566283|access-date=9 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105170326/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10566283|archive-date=5 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Films shot partly or wholly in Wellington include the [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''Lord of The Rings'' trilogy]], ''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]'' and ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]''. Jackson described Wellington: "Well, it's windy. But it's actually a lovely place, where you're pretty much surrounded by water and the bay. The city itself is quite small, but the surrounding areas are very reminiscent of the hills up in northern California, like [[Marin County, California|Marin County]] near San Francisco and the Bay Area climate and some of the architecture. Kind of a cross between that and Hawaii."<ref>{{cite web|work=American Way|year=2009|url=http://www.americanwaymag.com/wellington-new-zealand-peter-jackson-adrien-brody-1|title=Yo, Adrien!|author=Mark Seal|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905013949/http://www.americanwaymag.com/wellington-new-zealand-peter-jackson-adrien-brody-1|archive-date=5 September 2009|url-status=dead|author-link=Mark Seal}}</ref>

Notable Wellington directors include [[Jane Campion]], [[Geoff Murphy]], [[Robert Sarkies]], and [[Taika Waititi]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Bushcraft|year=2009|url=http://www.bushcraft.co.nz/|title=Bushcraft official website|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416124200/http://www.bushcraft.co.nz/|archive-date=16 April 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmwellington.com/page/about-film-wellington.aspx|title=FilmWellington New Zealand|access-date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217173333/http://www.filmwellington.com/page/about-film-wellington.aspx|archive-date=17 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Embassytheatredayjex.jpg|thumb|[[Embassy Theatre, Wellington|Embassy Theatre]]]]
Wellington has a large number of independent cinemas, including the [[Embassy Theatre, Wellington|Embassy Theatre]], Penthouse, the Roxy and Light House, which participate in film festivals throughout the year. Wellington has one of the country's highest turn-outs for the annual [[New Zealand International Film Festivals|New Zealand International Film Festival]]. There are a number of other film festivals hosted in Wellington, such as Doc Edge (documentary),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Doc Edge Home Page Life Unscripted|url=https://docedge.nz/|access-date=24 October 2022|website=Documentary Edge}}</ref> the Japanese Film Festival<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japanese Film Festival, Roxy Cinema|url=https://www.roxycinema.co.nz/japanese-film-festival|access-date=24 October 2022|website=roxycinema.co.nz}}</ref> and Show Me Shorts (short films).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Show Me Shorts|url=https://www.showmeshorts.co.nz/|access-date=24 October 2022|website=Show Me Shorts}}</ref>

In 2019, Wellington was designated as a City of Film by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://citiesoffilm.org/wellington/|title=Wellington|publisher=Cities of Film|access-date=10 December 2025}}</ref>

====Music====
The music scene has produced bands such as [[The Warratahs]], [[The Mockers]], [[The Phoenix Foundation]], [[Shihad]], [[Beastwars (band)|Beastwars]], [[Fly My Pretties]], [[Rhian Sheehan]], [[Birchville Cat Motel]], Black Boned Angel, [[Fat Freddy's Drop]], [[The Black Seeds]], [[Fur Patrol]], [[Flight of the Conchords]], [[Connan Mockasin]], [[Rhombus (band)|Rhombus]] and [[Module (musician)|Module]], [[Weta (band)|Weta]], [[Demoniac]], and [[DARTZ (New Zealand band)|DARTZ]]. The [[New Zealand School of Music]] was established in 2005 through a merger of the conservatory and theory programmes at [[Massey University]] and [[Victoria University of Wellington]]. [[New Zealand Symphony Orchestra]], [[Nevine String Quartet]] and [[Chamber music]] New Zealand are based in Wellington. The city is also home to the [[Rodger Fox|Rodger Fox Big Band]].

====Theatre and dance====
Wellington is home to [[BATS Theatre]], [[Circa Theatre]], the national kaupapa Māori theatre company [[Taki Rua]], the National Theatre for Children at Capital E, the [[Royal New Zealand Ballet]], Gryphon Theatre, and contemporary dance company [[Footnote Dance|Footnote]].

Venues include [[St. James Theatre (Wellington)|St James' Theatre]] on Courtenay Place,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Georgina|title=Wellington's St James Theatre battling water leaks and resourcing issues|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellingtons-st-james-theatre-battling-water-leaks-and-resourcing-issues/6VSP32VMO7E45CQKAT7QXFF55E/|access-date=12 June 2021|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref> [[Opera House, Wellington|The Opera House]] on Manners Street and the [[Hannah Playhouse]].

[[Te Whaea]] National Dance & Drama Centre, houses New Zealand's university-level schools, [[Toi Whakaari]]: New Zealand Drama School & the [[New Zealand School of Dance]], these are separate entities that share the building's facilities.

[[Whitireia New Zealand|Te Auaha the Whitireia Performing Arts Centre]] is downtown off Cuba Street.

{{Multiple image
| image1            = St James Theatre.jpg
| image2            = The Opera House, Wellington.jpg
| image3            = Circa Theatre.jpg
| total_width       = 600
| caption1          = [[St. James Theatre, Wellington|St James Theatre]] on Courtenay Place, the main street of Wellington's entertainment district
| caption2          = [[Opera House, Wellington|Opera House]]
| caption3          = [[Circa Theatre]]
| align             = center
}}

==== Comedy ====
Many of New Zealand's prominent comedians have either come from Wellington or got their start there, such as [[Ginette McDonald]] ("Lyn of Tawa"), [[Raybon Kan]], [[Dai Henwood]], [[Ben Hurley]], Steve Wrigley, Guy Williams, the [[Flight of the Conchords]] and the satirist [[John Clarke (satirist)|John Clarke]] ("[[Fred Dagg]]").

Wellington is home to groups that perform improvised theatre and [[improvisational comedy]], including [[Wellington Improvisation Troupe]] (WIT).{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}  Wellington hosts shows in the annual [[New Zealand International Comedy Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nomadsworld.com/new-zealand-international-comedy-festival/|title=New Zealand International Comedy Festival|author=Laura Barlow|website=NOMADS|date=30 October 2017|access-date=28 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528192104/https://nomadsworld.com/new-zealand-international-comedy-festival/|archive-date=28 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Visual arts====
From 1936 to 1992, Wellington was home to the [[National Art Gallery of New Zealand]], when it was amalgamated into [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]]. Wellington is home to the [[New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts]] and the [[Arts Foundation of New Zealand]]. The city's [[arts centre]], [[Wellington Arts Centre|Toi Pōneke]], is a nexus of creative projects, collaborations, and multi-disciplinary production. Arts Programmes and Services Manager Eric Vaughn Holowacz and a small team based in the Abel Smith Street facility have produced ambitious initiatives such as Opening Notes, [[Drive by Art]], and [[public art]] projects. The city is home to the experimental arts publication ''[[White Fungus (magazine)|White Fungus]]''. The Learning Connexion provides art classes. Other visual art galleries include the City Gallery.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="120" caption="[[Te Ngākau Civic Square]] with the ''Ferns'' artwork suspended above">
File:Wellington NZ7 3363.jpg
File:Wellington NZ7 3367.jpg
</gallery>

==Cuisine==
Wellington is characterised by small dining establishments, and its [[coffee culture|café culture]] is internationally recognised, being known for its large number of coffeehouses.<ref name="Reid2014">{{cite web|last1=Reid|first1=Sarah|title=8 of the world's great coffee cities |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/best-coffee-cities/index.html|publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=15 November 2016|date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031152114/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/04/travel/best-coffee-cities/|archive-date=31 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-daily-grind-wellington-cafe-culture-1920-2000|title=Wellington café culture – Wellington café culture|work=NZHistory|access-date=12 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112144957/http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/the-daily-grind-wellington-cafe-culture-1920-2000|archive-date=12 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Wellington restaurants offer cuisines including from Europe, Asia and Polynesia; for dishes that have a distinctly [[cuisine of New Zealand|New Zealand style]], there are lamb, beef, pork and venison, salmon, crayfish (lobster), [[Bluff oyster]]s, [[pāua]] (abalone), [[mussel]]s, [[scallop]]s, [[Paphies australis|pipis]] and [[tuatua]] (both New Zealand shellfish); kūmara (sweet potato); [[kiwifruit]] and [[tamarillo]]; and [[Pavlova (dessert)|pavlova]], the national dessert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newzealand.com/travel/media/features/food-&-wine/food-wine_nzcuisine_backgrounder.cfm|title=New Zealand Cuisine – Cuisine Influences|publisher=Media Resources – Tourism New Zealand's site for media and broadcast professionals|access-date=28 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307132821/http://www.newzealand.com/travel/media/features/food-%26-wine/food-wine_nzcuisine_backgrounder.cfm|archive-date=7 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Sport==
[[File:Wellington Westpac Stadium in 2010.jpg|thumb|[[Wellington Regional Stadium]]]]
Wellington is the home to:
* [[Hurricanes (rugby union)|Hurricanes]] – [[Super Rugby]] team based in Wellington
* [[Wellington Rugby Football Union|Wellington Lions]] – [[ITM Cup]] rugby team
* [[Wellington Phoenix FC]] – [[Association football|football (soccer)]] club playing in the Australasian [[A-League]] 
* [[Team Wellington]] – in the semi-professional [[New Zealand Football Championship]] 
* [[Central Pulse]] – [[netball]] team representing the Lower North Island in the [[ANZ Championship]], primarily based in Wellington
* [[Wellington Firebirds]] and [[Wellington Blaze]] – men's and women's [[cricket]] teams
* [[Wellington Saints]] – basketball team in the [[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|National Basketball League]]

==Government==
{{expand section|date=March 2025}}

===Local===
[[File:Wellington Town Hall, Wellington, New Zealand (11).JPG|thumb|[[Wellington Town Hall]] on [[Te Ngākau Civic Square]]]]
The first local government for the city was the Wellington Borough Council, which was established in 1842 but dissolved 18 months later. In 1863 the [[Wellington Provincial Council]] formed the Wellington Town Board. The Wellington Town Board was overseen by commissioners that had the power to levy rates, manage water supply, organise road layout, and was responsible for fire prevention.<ref name="raupo2deco">{{cite book | last1=Mew | first1=G. | last2=Humphris | first2=Adrian | title=Raupo to Deco | date=October 2014 |page=25| publisher=Steele Roberts Aotearoa Limited | isbn=978-1-927242-56-8}}</ref>

Wellington city is administered by the [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|territorial authority]] of [[Wellington City Council]]. The present mayor of the Wellington City Council is [[Tory Whanau]], who was [[2022 Wellington City mayoral election|elected in 2022]].{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

Wellington is also part of the wider [[Wellington Region]], administered by the [[Wellington Regional Council|Greater Wellington Region Council]]. The local authorities are responsible for a wide variety of [[public services]], which include management and maintenance of local roads, and land-use planning.<ref>{{cite web|title=About us {{!}} Greater Wellington Regional Council|url=http://www.gw.govt.nz/about-us/|website=gw.govt.nz|access-date=26 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328030033/http://www.gw.govt.nz/about-us/|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Old High Court building Wellington New Zealand 2015.JPG|thumb|The Old High Court, since restored as the [[Supreme Court of New Zealand]]]]

The Wellington City Council has created two local [[Community boards in New Zealand|community boards]] under the provisions of Part 4 of the [[Local Government Act 2002]] for certain parts of the city:

*The Tawa Community Board<ref name= tawaboard/> representing the northern suburbs of [[Tawa, New Zealand|Tawa]], [[Grenada North]] and [[Takapu Valley|Takapū Valley]];<ref name= wards/> and
*The Mākara/Ōhāriu Community Board<ref name= makaraohariuboard/> representing the rural suburbs of [[Ohariu, New Zealand|Ohariu]], [[Mākara]] and [[Mākara Beach]].<ref name= wards/>
[[File:Parliament Buildings and The Beehive.jpg|thumb|[[Parliament House, Wellington|Parliament House]] and the [[Beehive (New Zealand)|Beehive]]]]

===National===
Wellington is covered by four general electorates: [[Mana (New Zealand electorate)|Mana]], [[Ōhāriu]], [[Rongotai (New Zealand electorate)|Rongotai]], and [[Wellington Central (New Zealand electorate)|Wellington Central]]. It is also covered by two Māori electorates: [[Te Tai Hauāuru]], and [[Te Tai Tonga]]. Each electorate returns one member to the [[New Zealand House of Representatives]]. Two general electorates are held by the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] and two are held by the [[New Zealand Green Party|Green Party]] and the two Maori electorates are held by [[Te Pāti Māori]].{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

==Education==
{{Main|List of schools in the Wellington Region}}

{{See also|List of universities in New Zealand}}

Wellington offers a variety of college and university programs for [[tertiary education in New Zealand|tertiary]] students:

[[File:Uniwersytetwiktorii.jpg|thumb|Victoria University's [[Kelburn, New Zealand|Kelburn]] campus, one of four in Wellington]]
[[Victoria University of Wellington]] has four campuses and works with a three-trimester system (beginning March, July, and November).<ref>{{cite web|title=Victoria University of Wellington – website|publisher=Victoria University of Wellington|access-date=29 July 2009|url=http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714111133/http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/|archive-date=14 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> It enrolled 21,380 students in 2008; of these, 16,609 were full-time students. Of all students, 56% were female and 44% male. While the student body was primarily New Zealanders of European descent, 1,713 were Māori, 1,024 were Pacific students, 2,765 were international students. 5,751 degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded. The university has 1,930 full-time employees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Victoria in the year 2008|publisher=Victoria University of Wellington|access-date=29 July 2009|url=http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/snapshot.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815064257/http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/snapshot.aspx|archive-date=15 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Massey University]] has a Wellington campus known as the "creative campus" and offers courses in communication and business, engineering and technology, health and well-being, and creative arts. Its school of design was established in 1886 and has research centres for studying public health, sleep, Māori health, small & medium enterprises, disasters, and tertiary teaching excellence.<ref name="Massey University">{{cite web|title=Wellington Campus – the Creative Campus|publisher=Massey University|access-date=29 July 2009|url=http://wellington.massey.ac.nz/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714102622/http://wellington.massey.ac.nz/|archive-date=14 July 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> It combined with Victoria University to create the [[New Zealand School of Music]].<ref name="Massey University"/>

The [[University of Otago]] has a Wellington branch, with its Wellington School of Medicine and Health.

[[Whitireia New Zealand]] has large campuses in Porirua, Wellington and Kapiti; the [[Wellington Institute of Technology]] and New Zealand's National Drama school, [[Toi Whakaari]]. The Wellington area has numerous primary and secondary schools.

==Transport==
{{See also|Public transport in the Wellington Region|List of bus routes in the Wellington Region|Cycling in Wellington}}
[[File:Commuters-wellington.ashx.jpeg|thumb|upright|Commuting patterns in the Wellington region during 2006; darker red lines indicate greater traffic. Source: Statistics New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Statistics New Zealand|date=July 2006|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/about_us/about-statistics-new-zealand.aspx|title=Commuterview New Zealand, 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings|access-date=1 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805202949/http://www.stats.govt.nz/about_us/about-statistics-new-zealand.aspx|archive-date=5 August 2009}}</ref>]]
Wellington is served by [[State Highway 1 (New Zealand)|State Highway 1]] in the west and [[State Highway 2 (New Zealand)|State Highway 2]] in the east, meeting at the [[Ngauranga Interchange]] north of the city centre, where SH 1 runs through the city to the airport. There are two other state highways in the wider region: [[State Highway 58 (New Zealand)|State Highway 58]] which provides a direct connection between the Hutt Valley and Porirua, and [[State Highway 59 (New Zealand)|State Highway 59]] which follows a coastal route between Linden and Mackays Crossing and was previously part of SH 1.<ref name="SH 59 renumbering">{{cite press release|url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/change-coming-for-state-highway-numbers-in-the-wellington-region|title=Change coming for state highway numbers in the Wellington region|publisher=New Zealand Transport Agency|date=9 June 2021|access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="State Highway 59 switch confirmed for December">{{cite press release|url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/state-highway-59-switch-confirmed-for-december/|title=State Highway 59 switch confirmed for December|publisher=New Zealand Transport Agency|date=18 November 2021|access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> Road access into the capital is constrained by the mountainous terrain – between Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast, SH 1 passes through the steep and narrow Wainui Saddle, nearby SH 59 travels along the Centennial Highway, a narrow section of road between the Paekākāriki Escarpment and the [[Tasman Sea]], and between Wellington and Wairarapa SH 2 transverses the [[Rimutaka Range]]s on a similar narrow winding road. Wellington has two motorways: the [[Johnsonville–Porirua Motorway]] (largely part of SH 1, with the northernmost section part of SH 59) and the [[Wellington Urban Motorway]] (entirely part of SH 1), which in combination with a small non-motorway section in the Ngauranga Gorge connect Porirua with Wellington city. A third motorway in the wider region, the [[Transmission Gully Motorway]] forming part of the SH 1 route and officially opened on 30 March 2022, leaves the Johnsonville-Porirua Motorway at the boundary between Wellington and Porirua and provides the main route between Wellington and the wider North Island.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/300553447/wellingtons-transmission-gully-is-officially-open|title=Wellington's Transmission Gully is officially open|first=Justin|last=Wong|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand|date=30 March 2022|access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref>
[[File:Wellington Railway Station (30962990853).jpg|thumb|[[Wellington railway station]]]]
Bus transport in Wellington is supplied by several different operators under the banner of Metlink. Buses serve almost every part of Wellington city, with most of them running along the "Golden Mile" from [[Wellington railway station]] to [[Courtenay Place, Wellington|Courtenay Place]]. Until October 2017, there were nine [[trolleybus]] routes, all other buses running on [[Diesel fuel|diesel]]. The [[Trolleybuses in Wellington|trolleybus network]] was the last public system of its kind in the [[Southern Hemisphere]].<ref>{{cite conference|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280446169|title=Wellington's Trolley Bus Overhead Electrical Network – Introduction of Electrical Fault Protection|last1=Fleisher|first1=Simon|last2=Read|first2=Steve|year=2014|doi=10.13140/RG.2.1.3354.3522}}</ref>

Wellington lies at the southern end of the [[North Island Main Trunk]] railway (NIMT) and the [[Wairarapa Line]], converging on [[Wellington railway station]] at the northern end of central Wellington. Two long-distance services leave from Wellington: the [[Capital Connection]], for commuters from [[Palmerston North]], and the [[Northern Explorer]] to [[Auckland]].
[[File:Wellington Matangi Train, Petone (20240206) (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[New Zealand FP class electric multiple unit|Matangi]] [[electric multiple unit]]]]
Four [[Railway electrification system|electrified]] [[suburban rail|suburban]] lines radiate from Wellington railway station to the outer suburbs to the north of Wellington – the [[Johnsonville Line]] through the hillside suburbs north of central Wellington; the [[Kāpiti Line]] along the NIMT to Waikanae on the Kāpiti Coast via Porirua and Paraparaumu; the [[Melling Line]] to Lower Hutt via Petone; and the [[Hutt Valley Line]] along the Wairarapa Line via Waterloo and [[Taitā, New Zealand|Taitā]] to Upper Hutt. A diesel-hauled carriage service, the [[Wairarapa Connection]], connects several times daily to Masterton in the Wairarapa via the {{convert|8.8|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} [[Rimutaka Tunnel]]. Combined, these five services carry 11.64&nbsp;million passengers per year.<ref name="MoT-ridership">{{cite web|url=http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/TMIF/Pages/TV020.aspx|title=Transport volume : Public transport volumes|publisher=New Zealand Ministry of Transport|access-date=7 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718235011/http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/TMIF/Pages/TV020.aspx|archive-date=18 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[CentrePort Wellington]] is the operator of the port of Wellington, and provides infrastructure for shipping and cargo, including the commercial [[wharves in Wellington Harbour]]. It also provides port services for the [[Cook Strait]] [[ferries]] to [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] in the [[South Island]], operated by state-owned [[Interislander]] and private [[Strait Shipping|Bluebridge]]. Local ferries connect Wellington city centre with Eastbourne and Seatoun.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eastbywest.co.nz/destinations|title=Destinations {{!}} East by West Ferries|website=eastbywest.co.nz|access-date=25 March 2020}}</ref>

[[Wellington Airport]] is {{convert|6|km}} south-east of the city centre. It is serviced by flights from across New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji. Flights to other international destinations require a transfer at another airport, as aircraft range is limited by Wellington's short ({{convert|2081|m|disp=or|adj=on}}) [[runway]], which has become an issue in recent years regarding the Wellington region's economic performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Calls-for-Wellington-Airport-to-extend-runway/tabid/369/articleID/281961/Default.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703153712/http://www.3news.co.nz/Calls-for-Wellington-Airport-to-extend-runway/tabid/369/articleID/281961/Default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 July 2013|title=Calls for Wellington Airport to extend runway|publisher=3 News|access-date=16 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=53371|title=Upper Hutt wants a longer runway at Wellington Airport, for flights to Asia|work=Wellington.Scoop|publisher=Scoop Media|date=6 March 2013|access-date=16 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120956/http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=53371|archive-date=26 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Cycling in Wellington]] has been increasing in popularity as a mode of transport. Mode share has increased from 2% in the early 2000s to over 4% in 2013.<ref>{{cite book |author=|title=Wellington City Cycle Network Strategic Case |url=https://wellington.govt.nz/-/media/parking-roads-and-transport/parking-and-roads/cycling/files/cycle-network-strategic-case-040815.pdf?la=en&hash=33E30269D281408D5468FBFA6D04A495BA224267#:~:text=and%20inconvenient%20is-,reducing%20cycling's%20contribution%20to%20the%20transport%20system,and%2092%20percent%20for%20driving. |year=2015|publisher=Wellington City Council |page=26}}</ref> During the 2020s, a network of cycling infrastructure has been deployed across the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The network |url=https://www.transportprojects.org.nz/current/bikenetwork/the-network |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=WCC Transport Projects |language=en}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Electric power===
Wellington's first public electricity supply was established in 1904, alongside the introduction of electric trams, and was originally supplied at 105&nbsp;volts 80&nbsp;hertz. The conversion to the now-standard 230/400&nbsp;volts 50&nbsp;hertz began in 1925, the same year the city was connected to the [[Mangahao Power Station|Mangahao hydroelectric scheme]]. Between 1924 and 1968, the city's supply was supplemented by a coal-fired power station at Evans Bay.<ref>{{cite web|title=Evans Bay Power Station – Engineering New Zealand|url=http://www.engineeringnz.org/our-work/heritage/heritage-records/evans-bay-power-station/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509100127/https://www.engineeringnz.org/our-work/heritage/heritage-records/evans-bay-power-station/|archive-date=9 May 2019|access-date=9 May 2019|website=engineeringnz.org}}</ref>

Today, Wellington city is supplied from four [[Transpower New Zealand Limited|Transpower]] substations: Takapu Road, Kaiwharawhara, Wilton, and Central Park (Mount Cook). [[Wellington Electricity]] owns and operates the local distribution network.

The city is home to two large wind farms, [[Project West Wind|West Wind]] and [[Mill Creek Wind Farm|Mill Creek]], which combined contribute up to 213&nbsp;MW of electricity to the city and the national grid.

While Wellington experiences regular strong winds, and only 63% of Wellington Electricity's network is underground, the city has a very reliable power supply. In the year to March 2018, Wellington Electricity disclosed the average customer spent just 55 minutes without power due to unplanned outages.<ref>{{cite web|title=EDB Information Disclosure Requirements – Wellington Electricity Lines Limited – year ended 31 March 2018|url=https://www.welectricity.co.nz/dmsdocument/156|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018122249/https://www.welectricity.co.nz/dmsdocument/156|archive-date=18 October 2018|access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref>

===Natural gas===
Wellington was one of the original nine towns and cities in New Zealand to be supplied with natural gas when the [[Kapuni|Kapuni gas field]] in South Taranaki entered production in 1970, and a {{convert|260|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} high-pressure pipeline from the field to the city was completed. The high-pressure transmission pipelines supplying Wellington are now owned and operated by [[First Gas]], with [[Powerco]] owning and operating the medium- and low-pressure distribution pipelines within the urban area.<ref>{{cite web|date=December 2016|title=The New Zealand Gas Story|url=http://gasindustry.co.nz/dmsdocument/5344|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202151245/http://gasindustry.co.nz/dmsdocument/5344|archive-date=2 February 2017|access-date=13 February 2017|publisher=Gas Industry Company}}</ref>

=== The three waters ===
{{Main|Water supply and sanitation in the Wellington region}}

The "three waters" – [[drinking water]], [[stormwater]], and [[wastewater]] services for the Wellington metropolitan area are provided by five councils: Wellington City, Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua city councils, and the [[Wellington Region|Greater Wellington]] Regional Council. However, the water assets of these councils are managed by an [[infrastructure asset management]] company, [[Wellington Water]].

Wellington's first piped water supply came from a spring in 1867.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our water history – on tap Water supply in the Wellington region 1867–2006|url=http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Our-Environment/Water-Supply/PDFs/Our-water-history-on-tap-complete-document.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201015113/http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Our-Environment/Water-Supply/PDFs/Our-water-history-on-tap-complete-document.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2016|publisher=WRC}}</ref> [[Wellington Region|Greater Wellington Regional Council]] now supplies Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington with up to 220 million litres a day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bulk water supply – live {{!}} Greater Wellington Regional Council|url=http://www.gw.govt.nz/bulk-water-supply-live/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516004711/http://www.gw.govt.nz/bulk-water-supply-live/|archive-date=16 May 2016|access-date=20 May 2016|website=gw.govt.nz}}</ref> The water comes from [[Wainuiomata River]] (since 1884), [[Hutt River (New Zealand)|Hutt River]] (1914), [[Ōrongorongo River]] (1926) and the [[Waiwhetu Aquifer|Waiwhetū Aquifer]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Watermap {{!}} Greater Wellington Regional Council|url=http://www.gw.govt.nz/live-water-supply/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531161619/http://www.gw.govt.nz/live-water-supply/|archive-date=31 May 2016|access-date=20 May 2016|website=gw.govt.nz}}</ref>

There are four wastewater treatment stations serving the Wellington metropolitan area, located at:<ref>{{cite web|title=Wastewater|url=http://www.learnz.org.nz/water172/bg-standard-f/wastewater/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414020034/http://www.learnz.org.nz/water172/bg-standard-f/wastewater/|archive-date=14 April 2020|access-date=14 April 2020|publisher=LEARNZ}}</ref>
* [[Moa Point]] (serving Wellington city)
* Seaview (serving Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt)
* Karori (serving the suburb)
* Porirua (serving northern Wellington suburbs, Tawa and Porirua city)
The Wellington metropolitan area faces challenges with ageing infrastructure for the three waters, and there have been some significant failures, particularly in wastewater systems. The water supply is vulnerable to severe disruption during a major earthquake, although a wide range of projects are planned to improve the resilience of the water supply and allow a limited water supply post-earthquake.<ref>{{cite web|date=Oct 2019|title=Wellington Lifelines Project – Regional Resilience Report|url=https://wremo.nz/assets/Uploads/Wellington-Lifelines-PBC-MAIN-Combined-20191009.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411040711/https://wremo.nz/assets/Uploads/Wellington-Lifelines-PBC-MAIN-Combined-20191009.pdf|archive-date=11 April 2020|access-date=11 April 2020|publisher=Wellington Region Emergency Management Office}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=George|author=<!--Not stated-->|first=Damian|date=3 December 2019|title=Wellington Lifelines Group calls for 20-year investment programme to guard against major earthquake|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/117783826/wellington-lifelines-group-calls-for-20year-investment-programme-to-guard-against-major-earthquake|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

In May 2021, the Wellington City Council approved a 10-year plan that included expenditure of $2.7{{nbsp}}billion on water pipe maintenance and upgrades in Wellington city, and an additional $147 to $208 million for plant upgrades at the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant.<ref>{{cite news|last=George|first=Damian|date=27 May 2021|title=Massive cycleways funding boost as city council signs off on record spend|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125268677/massive-cycleways-funding-boost-as-city-council-signs-off-on-record-spend|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528023534/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125268677/massive-cycleways-funding-boost-as-city-council-signs-off-on-record-spend|archive-date=28 May 2021}}</ref> In November 2023, Wellington Water noted that on-going investment of $1 billion per annum was required to address water issues across the Greater Wellington region, but that this amount was beyond the funding capacity of councils.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Boyack|first=Nicholas|date=6 November 2023|title=Cost of fixing Wellington's water crisis – $1b a year|url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/a/nz-news/350101981/cost-fixing-wellingtons-water-crisis-1b-year|url-access=subscription|access-date=7 November 2023|website=The Post}}</ref>

== Media ==
=== Newspapers ===
For many years Wellington had two daily newspapers – ''[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)|The Evening Post]]'' in the afternoon and ''[[The Dominion (Wellington)|The Dominion]]'' in the morning. ''The Evening Post'' was founded in 1865  by Dublin-born printer, newspaper manager and leader-writer [[Henry Blundell (publisher)|Henry Blundell]],<ref>{{cite web |title=The Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/evening-post |website=Papers Past |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref> while ''The Dominion'' was first published on 26 September 1907, the day New Zealand achieved [[Dominion]] status.<ref name=Papers_Past_Dom>{{cite web |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/dominion |title=The Dominion |work=Papers Past |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |access-date=22 July 2018}}</ref> The two newspapers merged in 2002 to form ''The Dominion Post''<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dominion |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/dominion |website=Papers Past |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref> and in April 2023 the merged newspaper was renamed ''[[The Post (New Zealand newspaper)|The Post]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stuff to put up first paywalls for news |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018887771/stuff-to-put-up-first-paywalls-for-news |access-date=28 April 2023 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427075101/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018887771/stuff-to-put-up-first-paywalls-for-news |archive-date=27 April 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Radio ===
Wellington is [[List of radio stations in Wellington|served by 26 full-power radio stations]]: 17 on FM, four on AM, and five on both FM and AM.

The Wellington radio market is the third-largest in New Zealand, with 392,500 listeners aged 10 and over. The largest commercial stations by share as of May 2025 are [[Newstalk ZB]] (16.3%), [[The Breeze (New Zealand radio station)|The Breeze]] (13.6%), [[ZM (radio station)|ZM]] and [[The Rock (radio station)|The Rock]] (8.3% each), and [[Mai FM]] (6.0%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surveys & Research |url=https://www.rba.co.nz/surveys-research |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Radio Broadcasters Association |language=en}}</ref>

=== Television ===
Television broadcasts began in Wellington on 1 July 1961 with the launch of channel WNTV1, becoming the third New Zealand city (after Auckland and Christchurch) to receive regular television broadcasts. WNTV1's main studios were in Waring Taylor Street in central Wellington and broadcast from a transmitter atop Mount Victoria. In 1967, the Mount Victoria transmitter was replaced with a more powerful transmitter at [[Mount Kaukau]].<ref>{{cite news|date=28 June 1967|title=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|publisher=New Zealand Parliament|volume=351|page=1394}}</ref> In November 1969, WNTV1 was networked with its counterpart stations in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin to form NZBC TV.

In 1975, the NZBC was broken up, with Wellington and Dunedin studios taking over NZBC TV as [[TVNZ 1|Television One]] while Auckland and Christchurch studios launched [[TVNZ 2|Television Two]]. At the same time, the Wellington studios moved to the new purpose-built [[Avalon, New Zealand|Avalon Television Centre]] in Lower Hutt. In 1980, Televisions One and Two merged under a single company, [[TVNZ|Television New Zealand]] (TVNZ). The majority of television production moved to Auckland over the 1980s, culminating in the opening of TVNZ's new Auckland television centre in 1989.

Today, digital terrestrial television ([[Freeview (New Zealand)|Freeview]]) is available in the city, transmitting from Mount Kaukau plus three infill transmitters at Baxters Knob, Fitzherbert, and Haywards.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coverage Maps|url=https://www.freeviewnz.tv/faq-library/about-digital-tv/coverage-maps/|access-date=6 November 2020|website=Freeview}}</ref>

== Sister cities ==
{{main|Sister cities of Wellington}}

Wellington has [[sister city]] relationships with the following cities:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/about-wellington/international-relations/sister-cities|title=International Relations – Sister Cities|website=[[Wellington City Council]] |date=19 February 2015|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129021125/https://wellington.govt.nz/about-wellington/international-relations/sister-cities|archive-date=29 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

*[[Sydney]], Australia (1983)
*[[Xiamen]], China (1987)
*[[Sakai]], Japan (1994)
*[[Beijing]], China (2006)
*[[Canberra]], Australia (2016)

Wellington is also a "friendly city" with [[Ramallah]], Palestine, and a 2023 council vote means both are expected to be sister cities in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harcourt|first=Anna|date=29 June 2023|title=Wellington is the first place in NZ to be 'friendly city' with Palestine|url=https://www.renews.co.nz/wellington-is-the-first-place-in-nz-to-be-friendly-city-with-palestine/|access-date=27 February 2024|website=renews.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hunt|first=Tom|date=29 June 2023|title=Wellington City Council votes for a sister city in Palestine|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/wellington/132436582/wellington-city-council-votes-for-a-sister-city-in-palestine|access-date=27 February 2024|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |location=New Zealand}}</ref> Wellington also has historical ties with [[Chania]], Greece; [[Harrogate]], England; and [[Çanakkale]], Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wellington.govt.nz/about-wellington/international-relations/sister-cities/historical-sister-cities|title=Historical sister cities|date=13 August 2015|publisher=[[Wellington City Council]] |access-date=9 June 2020|archive-date=10 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410011322/https://wellington.govt.nz/about-wellington/international-relations/sister-cities/historical-sister-cities|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Wellington is the [[Antipodes|antipode]] of the municipality of [[Alaejos]], Spain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antipodemap.com/ |title=Antipodes Map – Antipodal location for any map point |date=2006 |publisher=Solution Realm Software Inc |access-date=18 May 2025 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106090110/http://www.antipodemap.com/ |archive-date=2012-11-06 }}</ref>

==Wellington metropolitan area==
The wider [[metropolitan area]] for Wellington encompasses areas administered by four [[local government in New Zealand|local authorities]]: [[Wellington City Council|Wellington City]] itself, on the peninsula between Cook Strait and [[Wellington Harbour]]; [[Porirua|Porirua City]] on [[Porirua Harbour]] to the north, notable for its large [[Māori people|Māori]] and [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]] communities; and [[Lower Hutt|Lower Hutt City]] and [[Upper Hutt|Upper Hutt City]], largely suburban areas to the northeast, together known as the [[Hutt Valley]]. Depending on the source, the Wellington metro area may include [[Waikanae]], [[Paraparaumu]] and [[Paekākāriki]] on the Kāpiti Coast, and/or [[Featherston, New Zealand|Featherston]] and [[Greytown, New Zealand|Greytown]] in the [[Wairarapa]].

[[File:Wellington Urban Area.png|thumb|left|The Wellington urban area (pink) is administered by four local authorities.]]

[[File:WellingtonRegionPopulationDensity.png|thumb|Population density in Wellington region (2008) based on census data]]

The urban areas of the four local authorities have a combined population of {{Decimals|({{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Porirua|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Upper Hutt|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Lower Hutt|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington|y}}|R}})|0}} residents as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}.<ref name="NZ_population_data_2018" />

The four cities comprising the Wellington metropolitan area have a total population of {{formatnum:{{#expr: {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Porirua city|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Upper Hutt city|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Lower Hutt city|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington city|y}}|R}} }}}} {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y|(|),}} with the urban area containing {{Decimals|({{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Porirua|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Upper Hutt|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Lower Hutt|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington|y}}|R}}) / ({{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Porirua city|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Upper Hutt city|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Lower Hutt city|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellington city|y}}|R}})*100|1}}% of that population. The remaining areas are largely mountainous and sparsely farmed or parkland and are outside the urban area boundary. More than most cities, life is dominated by its central business district (CBD). Approximately 62,000 people work in the CBD, only 4,000 fewer than work in Auckland's CBD, despite that city having four times the population.

The [[Waikanae]]-[[Paraparaumu]]-[[Paekākāriki]] combined urban area in the Kāpiti Coast district is sometimes included in the Wellington metro area{{By whom|date=February 2021}} due to its exurban nature and strong transport links with Wellington. If included as part of the Wellington metro, Waikanae-Paraparaumu-Paekākāriki would add {{formatnum:{{#expr: {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Paraparaumu|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Waikanae|y}}|R}} + {{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Paekakariki|y}}|R}} }}}} to the population (as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|}}).{{NZ population data 2018||||y}}

[[Featherston, New Zealand|Featherston]] and [[Greytown, New Zealand|Greytown]] in the Wairarapa are rarely considered part of the Wellington metropolitan area, being physically separated from the rest of the metropolitan area by the [[Remutaka Range]]. However, both have significant proportions of their employed population working in Wellington city and the Hutt Valley (36.1% and 17.1% in 2006 respectively)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Goodyear|first=Rosemary|date=July 2008|title=Workforces on the move: An examination of commuting patterns to the cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch|url=https://www.nzae.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nr1215390093.pdf}}</ref> and are considered part of the Wellington functional urban area by Statistics New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Functional urban areas – methodology and classification {{!}} Stats NZ|url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/functional-urban-areas-methodology-and-classification|access-date=23 June 2021|publisher=Statistics New Zealand}}</ref>

The four urban areas combined had a usual resident population of 401,850 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 26,307 people (7.0%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 42,726 people (11.9%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 196,911 males and 204,936 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.961 males per female. Of the total population, 74,892 people (18.6%) were aged up to 15 years, 93,966 (23.4%) were 15 to 29, 185,052 (46.1%) were 30 to 64, and 47,952 (11.9%) were 65 or older.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|title=Age and sex by ethnic group (grouped total response), for census usually resident population counts, 2006, 2013, and 2018 Censuses (urban rural areas)|url=http://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE8318|access-date=13 September 2020|website=nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of people from Wellington]]
* [[Pigeon statues in Wellington]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
;Published in the 19th century
* {{Citation|publisher=E. Stanford|location=London|title=New Zealand Handbook|edition=14th|year=1879|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b8wNAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA59|chapter=Wellington}}
* {{Citation|publisher=Cassell and Co.|location=London|title=Pictorial New Zealand|year=1895|oclc=8587586|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/pictorialnewzeal00perciala#page/32/mode/2up|chapter=Wellington and its Surroundings|ol=7088023M}}

;Published in the 20th century
* {{Citation|publisher=Thomas Cook & Son|location=Auckland|title=New Zealand as a Tourist and Health Resort|year=1902|oclc=18158487|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/newzealandastour00thomiala#page/60/mode/2up|chapter=Wellington|ol=7093583M}}
* {{cite EB1911|wstitle= Wellington (N.Z.) |volume= 28 | page = 513 }}
* {{Citation|publisher=New Zealand Times Co.|location=Wellington|title=Guide to New Zealand|author=C. N. Baeyertz|year=1912|oclc=5747830|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/guidetonewzealan00baeyrich#page/66/mode/2up|chapter=Wellington|ol=251804M}}
* [http://www.growwellington.co.nz/document/6-21/Profile_2013_Wellington_Region.pdf "Wellington City Annual Economic Profile 2013"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129035550/http://www.growwellington.co.nz/document/6-21/Profile_2013_Wellington_Region.pdf |date=29 November 2014 }}, by Infometrics for Grow Wellington Ltd.

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Commons category|Wellington City}}
* [http://www.gw.govt.nz/ Greater Wellington Regional Council]
* [http://www.wellingtonnz.com/ Official NZ Tourism website for Wellington]
* [http://www.wellington.govt.nz/ Wellington City Council]
* [https://teara.govt.nz/en/wellington Wellington] in Te Ara the Encyclopedia of New Zealand
* {{cite web|url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov15_03Rail-t1-body-d9.html|title=The voyage of the "Tory" to Wellington, 1839 and the Birth of Wellington|publisher=NZETC|year=1940}}

{{Adjacent communities
 | title = Adjacent cities and districts
 | Centre = Wellington
 | N = [[Porirua]]
 | E = [[Lower Hutt]]
 | S = ''[[Cook Strait]]''<br/>[[Marlborough District|Marlborough]]
 | W = [[Marlborough District|Marlborough]] / ''[[Cook Strait]]''
}}
{{Wellington, New Zealand}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Articles related to Wellington
|list  =
{{Suburbs of Wellington City}}
{{Capital Connection train stops}}
{{The Overlander train stops}}
}}
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{{List of Oceanian capitals by region}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Wellington| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Oceania]]
[[Category:Former provincial capitals of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1840]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Wellington Region]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Cities built on a grid]]