Wellington, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Nomad Score:
69%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand, known for its vibrant cultural scene and stunning harbor views. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 215,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 100 Mbps, with fiber-optic options available. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 NZD ≈ 0.61 USD. Major banks include ANZ, Westpac, and BNZ. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Vodafone, Spark, and 2degrees; prepaid options available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common banking services for expats include ANZ and Westpac, both offer online banking. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals via Trade Me Property, and student accommodations. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Bookabach, and local apartments. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | YHA Wellington and The Dwellington are popular budget stays. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | BizDojo and The Commons are popular coworking spaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Pataka Cafe and Espressoholic are favorite spots for remote work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech events at Wellington Startup Garage and general meetups via Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Wellington Expats Facebook group and regular social mixers at local bars. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Zoomy are widely used in Wellington. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Wellington City has bike rental schemes, including Onzo and Lime scooters. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Oriental Bay is the closest beach, approximately 10 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air New Zealand offers regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Qantas and Air New Zealand operate major international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | State Highway 1 connects Wellington with the North Island. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Wellington Railway Station is the main transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Snapper card system for buses; day passes available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses from Wellington to nearby towns and cities like Porirua and Upper Hutt. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Wellington Regional Hospital is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Sanctuary and Wellington Yoga offer classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Les Mills Wellington and Anytime Fitness are popular options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like Suds at Wallace Street provide laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda and UberEats are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the ‘Fish and Chips’ or ‘Pavlova’ for a local taste. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Lulu’s Cafe and Aunty Mena’s are highly recommended. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chocolate Fish Cafe and Little Cake have great dessert options. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Wellington's Moore Wilsons offers fresh produce and local products. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Shop local on Trade Me, or use Amazon for services. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Countdown and New World offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Cuba Street is the nightlife hotspot with many bars and live music. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Craft beer options at Garage Project and Tuatara Brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bin 44 and Wine Pusher offer great wine selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Wellington Night Market on Fridays and Saturdays is vibrant. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Enjoy Indian at Heaven’s Taste or Italian at Scopa. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand) and the Beehive. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Dowse Art Museum and City Gallery Wellington are notable. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Old St Paul’s and the Wellington Cable Car are key sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Mary of the Angels and the Wellington Cathedral. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Wellington Jazz Festival and New Zealand Festival of the Arts. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Cuba Street and the Waterfront area offer a rich cultural experience. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Paramount and Circa Theatre are well-known performance spaces. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Harbourside Market is great for local produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Wellington has a lively live music scene with venues like The Tuning Fork. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the street art on Cuba Street and surrounding alleyways. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Classes available at the Wellington Culinary School. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Enjoy the Wellington Art Gallery and Suitcase Exhibition. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Te Aro Pa and The Wellington Waterfront historical sites. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Wellington is known for its Maori heritage and historic significance. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Pencarrow Coast and the Miramar Peninsula are scenic areas. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Rimutaka Forest Park is easily accessible for day trips. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Zodiac Park & the Wellington Waterfront have excellent trails. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mount Victoria Lookout provides stunning panoramic views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Scorching Bay has designated areas for gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Services provided by NZ Post and courier companies like DHL. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Computer and phone repair available at Tech Repair Wellington. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Table Tennis Community plays at various clubs in the city. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language School Wellington offers various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Wellington City Library is a great spot for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Wellington Community Centre hosts several cultural and community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamer's Heaven offers a place for video gaming enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | For live gaming, the SkyCity Wellington is the go-to casino. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NZD 5,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = NZD 200,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NZD 4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = NZD 160,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NZD 6,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = NZD 360,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NZD 4,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = NZD 288,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NZD 5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = NZD 440,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NZD 4,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = NZD 336,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 28% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 33% |
| 🏦 Tax System | New Zealand follows a progressive tax system on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 39% |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual tax applicable based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | No standard rate; check local fees. |