Wellington

Wellington, or Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui in Maori means ‘the head of Maui's fish’ - in Maori mythology, caught and pulled to the surface by Polynesian navigator Maui, the fish became the North Island. It is not only the capital of New Zealand, but also the cultural, administrative and political centre of the country with a population of around 180,000. The city has two major attractions that immediately catch a visitor’s attention: the stunning harbour and the surrounding hills. Both make Wellington a city where nature gets a central place and it is a vibrant and diverse city. Visitors find some of the best museums, art galleries, restaurants and coffee houses in the country. It is the place where one can find all about the nation’s historic, cultural and artistic treasures in the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa. It is here as well where travelers take the ferry for the crossing to the South Island. Being such a vibrant and cultural city, it is the host to a festival of the arts every two years.