The Wellington region covers the entire lower part of the North Island and includes six cities and districts - Wellington, Lower Hutt, (Hutt) Upper Hutt, Wairarapa, Porirua and Kapiti.
A region of contrasts, it is blessed with remarkable landscapes. From Wellington city it is only a quick drive to mountains, open countryside and rugged coastlines.
To the west lie kilometres of beach, untouched native forests and the magnificent Kapiti Island. To the east, vineyards and olive groves pepper the landscape of the Wairarapa.
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Wellington City
At the heart is the capital Wellington, with its hillside suburbs, narrow winding streets, botanic gardens, and some of the best views in the world. It’s a capital city, a smart city and a beautiful city, built on an amphitheatre of hills surrounding a deep natural harbour. Vibrant and cosmopolitan, it offers all the benefits of a much bigger centre with few of the hassles.
Being in the centre of the country, Wellington is the perfect gateway north and south. Auckland and Christchurch are just an hour’s flight away. A three-hour ferry service connects Wellington to the top of the South Island. This makes Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds easily accessible for weekends. Find out more about travelling times.
Find out more about neighbourhoods and types of housing in Wellington city.
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Hutt Valley
About 15 minutes north east of Wellington is the start of a beautiful valley, with a river running through it. With a climate that is warmer in summer and cooler in winter than Wellington, generally flat terrain, and a wide range of affordable housing options, it is popular with families and first homebuyers.
The valley has excellent motorway, train and bus services linking it to Wellington and areas further away. Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt have busy city centres, and Lower Hutt has a large mall. Petone is a bustling village with excellent shopping. Eastbourne and the small bays along the eastern coast looking across to Wellington are picturesque with a backdrop of steep bush clad hills. Heading north toward Upper hutt is Silverstream which offers a vibrant local village and good schools. Further north is Heretaunga home to some of the region’s most impressive properties.
There are good schools throughout the valley, and numerous recreational, community and lifestyle facilities. Upper Hutt City is only a 40 minute train journey from Wellington and is renowned for its many parks, recreation areas and rural attractions.
Rural lifestyle options are plentiful too. In areas to the northwest of Upper Hutt, in the eastern hills and inland over the Wainuiomata hill are lifestyle properties, none of which would be more than one hour's drive from central Wellington.
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Porirua
Only 20 minutes' drive or train ride from downtown Wellington City, Porirua City's housing market offers excellent value for money whether buying a house for the first time, looking for a spacious, family-friendly home or comfortable executive living. Life in the city is described by its residents as 'easy going' and 'laid back'. The city has 54km of varied coastline and two harbours, and is 81% rural, so most homes enjoy views of the sea or countryside and the most stunning sunsets! Access to the city's many beaches, parks and reserves is close by and the city has a busy CBD with three retail malls making it a major shopping destination with no congestion and free parking.
Porirua comprises a series of 'villages' each with its own landscape and character. These thriving communities quickly give newcomers a sense of belonging through friendly neighbours, active school communities and the huge choice of sports and cultural clubs and other local activities. In Porirua, locals value their close proximity to the bright lights of cosmopolitan Wellington city for when they're in the mood - but they choose to live in a relaxed refuge away from the rat race, where being at home feels like being on holiday.
Porirua has bus and train services linking it to Wellington.
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Kapiti
For those who love the sea and prefer a milder climate, Kapiti, about an hour’s drive north from Wellington, is perfect. The Kapiti Coast stretches from the small village of Paekakariki in the south to the rural township of Otaki in the north, a distance of about 40km. Kapiti tends to be a few degrees warmer than Wellington and generally experiences less wind and rain.
Several of the Kapiti communities have their own village shopping centres, and a growing range of cafés, art galleries, antiques shops, restaurants and bars. The coast's main shopping area, including a large mall, is in Paraparaumu, on State Highway 1.
The district provides a casual outdoor focus, ideal for those who want to relax away from the central area of Wellington city.
Kapiti has bus and train services linking it to Wellington.
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Wairarapa
The wide plains and wild stretch of coast in the Wairarapa are just an hour from central Wellington. The main districts are Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa. Many people commute regularly to the city by train or car. Still more Wellingtonians have weekend lifestyle properties there, and divide their lives between town and country.
The main attraction for many is the international quality wines that are grown in the Wairarapa, particularly around Martinborough and Gladstone.
Martinborough and Greytown have developed into busy weekend destinations. Both offer high quality boutique accommodation, great cafes, restaurants and galleries, and high street shopping.
Other attractions include hiking, fishing, surfing and swimming.
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District or City Government
District and city councils are responsible for services including library, sports and leisure facilities, museums and art galleries, waste management and building control. Elections are held every three years, by postal voting. District or city governments in the Wellington region are Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, Porirua City, Kapiti Coast District, South Wairarapa District, Carterton District and Masterton District.
Greater Wellington Regional Council
The Greater Wellington Regional Council promotes quality of life in the region by ensuring our environment is protected while meeting the economic, cultural and social needs of the community.
Find out more about outdoor recreation and sport in the region.