About Wellington

Wellington the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, Wellington is the major population centre of the southern North Island, and is the administrative centre of the Wellington Region, which also includes the Kapiti Coast and the Wairarapa. It is the world’s southernmost capital of a sovereign state. Wellington features a temperate maritime climate, and is the world’s windiest city by average wind speed.

Wellington City, on the peninsula between Cook Strait and Wellington Harbour, contains the central business district; Porirua on Porirua Harbour to the north is notable for its large Maori and Pacific Island communities; Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt are largely suburban areas to the northeast, together known as the Hutt Valley. The Wellington urban area, which only includes urbanised areas within Wellington City, has a population of 215,100 residents as of June 2020. The urban areas of the four local authorities have a combined population of 429,700 residents as of June 2020.
As the nation’s capital since 1865, the New Zealand Government and Parliament, the Supreme Court, and most of the public service are based in the city. Architectural sights include the Old Government Buildings—one of the largest wooden buildings in the world—as well as the iconic Beehive, the executive wing of Parliament Buildings. Wellington is also home to several of the largest and oldest cultural institutions in the nation, such the National Archives, the National Library, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and numerous theatres. It plays host to many artistic and cultural organisations, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Royal New Zealand Ballet. One of the world’s most liveable cities, the 2016 Mercer Quality of Living Survey ranked Wellington 12th in the world, and was first in the world for both liveability and non-pollution by Deutsche Bank, from 2017–18.

Wellington’s economy is primarily service-based, with an emphasis on finance, business services, and government. It is the centre of New Zealand’s film and special effects industries, and increasingly a hub for information technology and innovation, with two public research universities. Wellington is one of New Zealand’s chief seaports and serves both domestic and international shipping. The city is served by Wellington International Airport, the third busiest airport in the country. Wellington’s transport network includes train and bus lines which reach as far as the Kapiti Coast and the Wairarapa, and ferries connect the city to the South Island.

Described by Lonely Planet in 2013 as “the coolest little capital in the world”, the global city has grown from a bustling M?ori settlement, to a remote colonial outpost, and from there to an Australasian capital experiencing a “remarkable creative resurgence”

Source: Wikipedia (May 2021) – click here

WELLINGTON PROPERTY MARKET RENTAL UPDATE

Inner city apartments are a popular choice for students, young professionals and couples downsizing out of family homes. Wellington City has around 7,200 apartments ranging from studios through to 4 bedrooms, with the bulk being 1 or 2 bedrooms.
Demand for medium sized 3 to 4 bedroom homes is moderate.

Houses and flats close to Victoria University in Kelburn, Massey University in Mt Cook and the Wellington Polytechnic (WelTec) campus in the city rent quickly. Many are not of high quality and rentals are pitched to this market.

Properties in city suburbs that get sun in winter, have regular transport services and have access to a range of retail services are in high demand. Rentals tend to decrease as you move out of the inner city suburbs; although a good range of quality family homes are available in Tawa with good rail connections and a 15 minute train ride to the city. If a property is priced at the lower end of the market they are usually made of lower standard building materials (could be cold in winter) or are not ideally situated for sun, transport, and shops or have winding paths or lots of steps as access.

Rental Rates
Tenants under pressure amidst record-breaking rents
Renters across the country will be feeling the pinch after the national median rent has increased to a record-breaking $550 per week, according to the latest Trade Me Property Rental Index. Head of Trade Me Property Nigel Jeffries said this increase has been driven by a lack of available rentals.

Source: Tenancy.govt.nz May 2021

WELLINGTON IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

Wellington City has been voted the “coolest little capital in the world” by traveller bible Lonely Planet. It’s keenly promoted as the cultural heart of the nation, a mecca for the arts and creative sector, the seat of Government and the centre of New Zealand. Here’s some reasons why:

Wellington is creative. It is the region of choice for imaginative people. If you are stimulated by fresh ideas and new emerging outlooks you’ll find this place totally inspiring.
Wellington is beautiful. Everywhere you go, the sounds and smell of the ocean hang in the air, and there are green hills and valleys. You can kayak in the harbour, walk in the bush and swim in the ocean. In Wellington the air is clean and you can see the stars at night. Wellington has stunning natural beauty.

Wellington is compact. We are confined by geography. Within the city, walking is often the preferred option. Everything is close. With excellent public transport getting around the city is easy.

Wellington is cosmopolitan. People from all over the world choose to live in Wellington, making it a diverse and exciting place to be. Over 40 different countries have Embassies here.

Wellington is smart. High quality education is at the heart of Wellington. It starts in our primary schools and flows all the way through to our world ranked universities. Thinking and achievement radiate from here out across the country and around the globe.

Wellington is foodie. Every year Wellington restaurants and bars win national awards for being the best in the country. You can sample food from all around the world or experience the unique flavours of some of our finest restaurants. Wellington is also famous for coffee – with reportedly more cafes per capita than any other city in the world. We are the cuisine Capital.

Wellington is vibrant. If you like festivals and street parties, you’ll like Wellington. There is always something on, and always something to celebrate. Some of our better known events include the International Arts Festival, International Rugby Sevens, Montana World of Wearable Art, International and Foreign Film Festivals, Dragon Boat Racing, Toast Martinborough and the annual Summer City Festival.

Wellington is techno savvy. Wellingtonians can browse, tweet and Facebook to their hearts’ content with free Wi-Fi in the central city. The network is available in outdoor areas from Westpac Stadium at the north end of the city to the Embassy cinema in Courtenay Place. Wellington is the first city in Australasia to provide comprehensive free Wi-Fi in the CBD.

Wellington is sporting. From cricket at the Basin Reserve where you can picnic on the terraces while watching national or international games to Westpac Stadium, home of the Hurricanes rugby team, venue for the International Rugby Sevens and where the Phoenix play in their Australasian soccer league games. Wellingtonians love their sport. They love hockey at the Mount Albert Stadium, badminton at Badminton Hall, swimming at the Freyberg Pool or at the Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre, wind surfing at Kio Bay or Plimmerton, basketball at the Newtown Stadium, or sailing, rock climbing, squash, triathlons, tennis, kayaking, fishing, paragliding, tramping and golf. There’s a myriad of sports Wellingtonians enjoy watching and participating in.

Wellington is colourful. The vista of colour from painted wooden houses sitting on the hillsides facing the harbour is one of the striking memories for cruise ship passengers visiting Wellington. There’s also the colour of the annual Chinese New Year festival, the snow on the mountains to the north and east of the city in winter contrasting with the blue of the harbour and green hills. Great raw material for those keen on photography.

Wellington property is affordable. Despite increased market activity, property prices are generally quite static throughout Wellington. Properties in the lower price brackets are meeting the greatest demand. Wellington has lots of city apartments for rental, with a wide variance in cost, quality, size and facilities. Most are 1 and 2 bedroom, with good quality 3+ bedroom apartments in short supply. Quality houses to rent are in short supply but with our assistance we have always been successful in settling people.

Wellington is the Capital. It’s a fascinating place to be. You can sit in a cafe next to a Government minister, and pass some of the most respected names in arts, education and business on the street. You have all the advantages that come with living in a capital city .People from Wellington are well educated, politically aware and open.

You can’t beat Wellington on a good day. It’s true; Wellington has a reputation for wind. The fresh energy it brings to the region is infectious. Wellington is also sunny, with an average of 2050 sunshine hours every year. Walking along the waterfront, swimming at Oriental Bay, watching the sunset from Mt Victoria – there is simply nowhere better to be than Wellington.