The capital of New Zealand is known as the ‘Windy City’. And with good reason. A gale wind that can overturn cars and ferries and leave huge men sprawled on the ground is not unusual for Wellington.

But windblown environs and the political windbags notwithstanding, Wellington was voted NZ's Top Town of 2000, mainly because of its topnotch facilities, thriving art and culture scene, its premier position as the centre of governance and capital city of the Kiwis, natural beauty and its potential as a boom town for employment and commerce.

Wellington has broken away from its stuffy image as the seat of governance and bloomed into a trendy weekend destination, favoured by most Kiwis. Not for nothing has it acquired the cachet of 'café capital' - it has the more than 450 pubs and bars, restaurants and food centres serving all manners of cuisines, classic or nouvelle, ethnic or fusion. Its entertainment scene is equally eclectic - the city is home base for the NZ Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet companies as well as multiple national level dance, theatre, opera and chamber music groups.

For detailed country and visitor information, see New Zealand.