What is the capital of New Zealand?
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. It sits at the southern tip of the North Island and became the capital in 1865, replacing Auckland, which remains the largest city.
New Zealand's first capital was Okiato, followed by Auckland from 1841. In 1865, Wellington was chosen because it is more central, making it easier to reach from both the North and South Islands at a time when some in the South Island were unhappy about distant government.
Wellington is home to Parliament, including the round building known as the Beehive, and the national museum Te Papa. It is famous for its strong winds, earning the nickname Windy Wellington, and for its café culture and film industry.
The southernmost capital
Wellington is the southernmost capital city of a sovereign country in the world. Auckland, about 500 kilometers to the north, has about a third of New Zealand's population.
Did You Know?
Wellington's suburb of Miramar is home to Weta Workshop and other studios that worked on Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films.