Wellington stands on a vast natural harbour, ringed by hills. This natural amphitheatre encloses a stretch of flat land on which the central business district is located.

The city is at the southwest tip of the North Island of New Zealand. In winter, you can see the magnificent snow-covered mountains of the South Island across Cook Strait from Wellington's coastal suburbs.

The metropolitan region extends into the Hutt Valley to the northeast of Wellington, and Porirua and Kapiti to the north along the west coast. Close to 460,000 people make their home in the Wellington region.

Nation's Capital

As the capital of New Zealand, Wellington is at the centre of a nation linked to the world. A global outlook and spirit of innovation are characteristic of its economy and society, making it a dynamic centre of creativity, from arts and culture to business.

Business

In recent decades, Wellington's traditional business base has diversified into New Economy sectors such as film, ICT, software development and multi-media. Today, many niche companies are expanding into lucrative international markets.

The capital's research and development capabilities are without equal in New Zealand. They cover the sciences, medicine, technology, water and atmosphere, animal health, geology, nuclear sciences and environmental science. In particular, the Crown Research Institutes are at the vanguard of world-leading research.

Government

Almost the entire central government sector is here. This includes Parliament, the head offices of more than 30 government ministries and departments, the judiciary, and numerous related national institutions including specialist archives, libraries, cultural bodies, and legal and business organisations. There are also 39 foreign embassies and high commissions in Wellington.

Innovative Thinking

Wellington's intimacy, the relative ease of moving around the region and the general friendliness of New Zealanders means that there is a remarkable cross-fertilisation of ideas, discussion and debate. This is leading to new innovations, new technological and scientific breakthroughs, and significant new commercial enterprises.

As Richard Taylor, co-founder of film company Weta Studios says: "Our city is dynamic in every way. Its intimacy, closeness and small town atmosphere belies the wealth and magnitude of the creative and technology-based enterprises that are unfolding in this city. Yet with all of this going on, the people of Wellington have remained warm and real."

Maps

• New Zealand - New Zealand Government website
• Wellington - Zoom In website
• Central Wellington - Wellington City Council website (1.12Mb PDF)

Crown Research Institutes in Wellington

• Industrial Research Ltd
• National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
• Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences

Significant Organisations in Wellington

• National Library
• National Archives
• Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
• MediaLab South Pacific
• Weta Workshops

Related Links

• About Wellington - Facts & Figures
• Maps
• Wellington - Tourism New Zealand website
• Statistics New Zealand website