What’s on in Wellington
When the capital calls, you pick up. A compact and walkable destination city, Wellington offers everything from wildlife and culture to a thriving culinary landscape – and some blockbuster events. If you’re heading to Wellington but procrastinating the itinerary planning, or impulse-booking a last-minute trip, let us offer a steer.
13 SEP:
Watch the boys in black face the ultimate test at Sky Stadium, as the All Blacks take on South Africa in The Rugby Championship for Wellington’s second and final major fixture of the 2025 international rugby season. Gearing up to be one of the most exciting showdowns of the season, after two closely-fought tests in
South Africa in 2024, the All Blacks look to win back the Freedom Cup.
18 SEP – 5 OCT:
Watch Wellington’s TSB Arena come alive with jaw-dropping artistry for the 2025 World of Wearable Art Show. Ignite what lies within as a city celebrates creative spirit and New Zealand’s finest performers bring the world’s leading wearable art to life onstage.
Windless Wellington walks
Keen to escape the city for a few hours? Here’s our guide to walking trails that offer all of Wellington’s signature charm, minus the wind.
Tane’s Track, hidden away in the Hutt Valley, is a leisurely, one-hour 2.3km walking route just over 40 minutes from the city. Begin winding through rimu, mātai, kahikatea and tawa forest before climbing through black beech forest up to a picturesque waterfall. It’s dog-friendly too.
For a trickier trek, Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush offers a variety of walks in New Zealand’s only botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants. Encompassing 100 hectares of native forest, these tracks range in length from 10 minutes to two and a half hours. Sheltered from high winds and only 15 minutes from the city, this could become your go-to on a breezy day.
Barry Hadfield Nīkau Reserve is a shaded bush walk through beautiful clusters of nīkau palms along a gravel track. Start with a steep yet short staircase climb to burn the family’s energy and find a picnic table at the top with sweeping views of Kāpiti Coast and Kāpiti Island. The track takes you through 11 hectares of remnant nīkau palms, kohekohe trees and a good population of ewekuri, a regionally endangered species. For birdwatchers, you will come across pīwakawaka, riroriro, tūī, korimako, and even kererū.
