New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, has a deserved reputation as the country’s cultural, artistic and entertainment centre. True, it’s also the political hub of New Zealand, but this scenic seaside city on the southern tip of the North Island has a lot more to it than stuffy debate chambers. There’s a perceptible buzz of creative energy in Wellington which manifests itself everywhere from the picturesque harbour district to the suit-filled commercial downtown core.

One thing that has helped propel Wellington into the entertainment forefront is its role as New Zealand’s centre for filmmaking. Movies like the Lord of the Rings trilogy helped put this corner of the world on the global travel map, but Wellington had been a popular cosmopolitan destination long before this series hit the screens. The natural beauty of the North Island starts right at the edge of the city. With its lovely harbour on one side and a wall of steep hills on the other, the natural realm is nicely integrated with Wellington’s urban landscape.