Wellington scenes

Wellington scenes (compiled by Malcolm Sparrow, resident of Tawa)

NEW ZEALAND'S TOP TOWN
New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, has been acclaimed by a reputable national magazine as New Zealand's "top town" - in terms of lifestyle, climate, attractions, etc. Okay, so that was 2 years ago, but I'm sure it still rates up there somewhere. Perhaps I'm a little biased because, after all, it's where my family has lived these past 6 years (as at October 2002).

There's no doubt that Wellington has gone ahead in leaps and bounds since the mid-90s, before which time it was regarded as a somewhat dull town populated by bureaucrats and various head office types. These days it has a burgeoning cafe scene (not that I know a lot about that) and an increasing number of inner-city residents who enjoy the proximity to both work and a vibrant after-hours lifestyle (or at least that's what they tell me - my own base being out in the suburbs 12-15 minutes by motorway, offpeak, from central Wellington).

SIZE AND LAYOUT
With a population of around 350,000, Wellington (and its associated cities - Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua, each "independent" of the other) is a fraction bigger than Christchurch, my previous home. At this stage it is still the country's second biggest metropolis. Greater Wellington is much more spread out than the likes of Christchurch, its various communities (such as Tawa, the northernmost suburb) being separated by hills and valleys. It is located at the southern end of the North Island (very central to the whole country) on a rather pleasant harbour. See below.

	Panoramic view of Wellington city and the harbour. The hill with the transmission tower towards the top left is Mt Victoria. (The next shot is a view from there.) Centre of the scene is the WestpacTrust Stadium. At right is the central business dictrict.
	The view from Mt Victoria of central Wellington and part of the harbour. To quote an English MP writing about New Zealand (July 2002): "Wellington has the most beautiful situation, and a harbour which makes Auckland and Sydney look like paddling pools." [Not my photo].
	Looking towards Mt Victoria with its prominent monastery and older-style wooden housing. The "high-rises" on the flat are in Oriental Bay which is a popular - and very expensive - harbourside setting. In the foreground is a section of the harbour.
	Similar setting to the previous pic, but closer in.
	One of the Interislander ferries which travel the three hours between Wellington and Picton (top of the South Island) a few times each day. In the foreground is the motorway, State Highway 1.
	The faster version of the above.
	Smaller vessel enjoying the harbour.

CLIMATE
Wellington doesn't get especially cold in winter, nor particularly hot in summer. Not too many winter days record a maximum temperature below 10 degrees celsius (50 degrees fahrenheit), and very rarely in the summer does it get warmer than 25 degrees (77 degrees fahrenheit). Average annual rainfall is around 1200mm (48 inches), about double that of Christchurch. What Wellington is renowned for is its wind, holding the undisputed title of New Zealand's windiest city. Spring and autumn are usually worse than other times of the year. At least at those other times there are enough days with little or no wind to ensure that the climate as a whole isn't too bad. However we really could do with much better summers!

	The busy shopping district that is Lambton Quay. It's deserted in this shot because of the hour - early Saturday morning. The sign indicates Cable Car Lane, the lower terminus for the cable car featured in the next shot.
	The cable car is one of Wellington's oldest and most popular attractions. This year is the centenary of its original commencement. Departing from Lambton Quay, the cable car ascends through 3 stops to arrive at the top of the Botanic Gardens. Click here for the official site.
	View of the city from the upper terminus of the cable car (at the start of the Botanic Gardens).
	Another view of the central city.
	The Beehive, part of Parliament Buildings. Officially opened by the Queen in 1977, the Beehive houses the administrative side of Government - offices of Ministers of the Crown including the Prime Minister, etc. The legislative chamber is in the building next door.
	Te Papa - the Museum of New Zealand, which was opened in February 1998, replaced the old National Museum. Its website states that it is representative of NZ's culturally diverse society. Te Papa is placed in the heart of the city, facing north and "offering spectacular views over the harbour".

A GOOD PLACE TO BE
For those who haven't spent time in Wellington, it really is worth seeing. Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, is still very new and innovative as far as museums go. Strongly recommended. The waterfront, the cablecar, as well as narrow streets with wooden houses clinging to steep hillsides are all part of Wellington's charm. Its new(ish) sports stadium, the WestpacTrust Stadium, is probably the country's best - if only the Hurricanes (the regional rugby team) rated as highly! And for those who make the most of the outdoors, you're never very far away from walking tracks through the bush which covers the region's hillsides. So to echo the words of the city's advertising package - for those who live outside the area - why not "Send yourself to Wellington"!

	The centrally-located WestpacTrust Stadium, opened in early 2000, has seating capacity of 34,500 and is, quite simply, a brilliant venue for sports matches and other events. Click here for the official site.
	The concourse as you approach the stadium from the direction of the central railway station, a short distance away. Travelling to big matches at the stadium by train is a very popular and effective way of getting there from outlying suburbs such as Tawa.
	Inside the stadium prior to a Super 12 rugby match involving the Hurricanes in early May 2002.
	Commuter train at the Wellington Railway Station, ready to head in the direction of Tawa. Wellington has a very effective and well-patronised commuter train system.