Overall Score
Wellington – the capital of New Zealand, the countrys second most populous city. The city is the largest capital of Oceania and the southernmost of the capitals of the world. Tê Phénénéau-à-têra (The Great Bay of Têra) – the name of the city in Malay language.
Wellington is located in the south of the North Island, on the banks of the Bay in the Koukou Strait. To the north of the capital is Kaiti – the beach area, the Rimutucka – to the east. In spite of the sub-etropical climate, the climatic regime of Wellington is temperate. The annual temperature fluctuations are in the range of 8-17°. There are often some winds in the area. In its early history, the city was plagued by windstorms.
Wellington was founded in 1839, but a little farther north than its present location. After the great floods of the Hatte River, the colonists were forced to relocate the settlement. The town was named in honor of the hero Gérard Welcomington, a hero of the Napoleonic Wars and premier minister of Great Britain, who assisted the first settlers in New Zealand. In 1865, the colonys administrative headquarters was temporarily moved to Wellington, but no longer «reverted; to New Zealands largest city.
In the late 1990s, Wellington, like all of New Zealand, experienced a tourism boom. The capital of New Zealand is unusually picturesque, with many fascinating buildings, green parks, and cultural institutions. Among them are the old government building and St. Pauls Church (1866), built without a single nail. The main Christian church in Wellington is St. Pauls Cathedral (1998). The citys administrative buildings are striking in their diversity. The city hall, in a distinctly Victorian style, contrasts with the bizarre new Parliament building, popularly known as the Bee Hive.
The cultural center of Wellington is centered around Civic Square. It is home to a spectacularly beautiful city gallery, the Michael Fools Center and Te Papa Tongarierev, a national museum that is one of the largest in the world. An abundance of public and cultural institutions can also be seen in the Square of the Points of Interest.
Wellingtons highlight is the canal road at the end of which there is a viewing plaza. Nearby, there is a conservatory and a beautifully landscaped garden.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 28 US AQI Good. Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- Tap water: Yes, safe to drink
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 210,000 people
- GDP: $40,233 / year
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 27 Mbps
- Best wireless: 2Degrees
- Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
- Tipping: Tipping in New Zealand is considered a true “merit-based” system, as it is not necessary to tip at restaurants, hotels, bars, salons, or spas, as well as in a taxi, unless the service exceeds all expectations. Employees in New Zealand typically earn a decent wage, so tipping is, in fact, a true sign of a job well done.
- Apartment listings: TradeMe
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Best coworking space: Enspiral Space
- Best short-haul air carrier: Jetstar
- Best intl air carrier: Air New Zealand
- Monthly costs for expat: $1900
- Monthly costs for family: $4200
- Monthly costs for local: $1200
- Meal: $10
- Small Cola: $1.7
- Beer 1 Pint: $5
- Coffee: $3.5
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