Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is a vibrant city with a population of about 215,000 residents.
Known for its cafe culture and creative residents, Wellington is an exciting place to live, with a strong international presence and a great sense of energy.
Living in Wellington as a student
When you arrive in Wellington, NZLC’s Academic and Student Services team will be there to support you and help you to settle in. You can choose from a variety of English courses, with some great optional electives like Job & CV Workshops, or News Club.
Public transport is excellent in this busy business city, so it’s easy to travel to school each day. Living options include apartments in the central city or kiwi homestays.
If you’re thinking about further study after your English course, Victoria University of Wellington offer some world-class programmes.
What to do in Wellington
Wellington’s waterfront is spectacular. Oriental Bay is an inner-city beach that is very popular in the warmer months. Each year, there’s a fantastic fireworks display over the harbour to celebrate the New Year.
Learn about New Zealand history and culture at Te Papa Tongarewa, our national museum. Entrance is free, so you can visit as many times as you like!
Take a ride in the historic cable car to the Botanic Gardens and the Carter Observatory for superb views over Wellington. You can also visit on a clear night to go star gazing and enjoy seeing the twinkling city lights. For a great 360o view of the city, walk to the top of Mount Victoria.
A visit to The Weta Cave will show you how some of the special effects in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were created, or if you’re interested in politics and history, you can take a free tour of The Beehive, New Zealand’s iconic parliament building.
Eating and drinking in Wellington
This city is known as the culinary capital of New Zealand and Wellington residents love coffee, too. If you’re confused by the different types of coffee available in New Zealand, try a Coffee Tasting Flight at Hangar Café to help you choose your favourite!
Cuba Street is a popular and fashionable place to meet up with friends and enjoy some great ethnic food. Try some tapas and watch live music at Havana Bar, or eat a delicious curry at KK Malaysian Restaurant.
What to see and do in the Wellington region
If you’re interested in nature and conservation, you’ll enjoy a daytrip to Kāpiti Island Nature Reserve, where you can see native birds – and if you’re lucky, you might even see a Little Spotted Kiwi (New Zealand’s national bird)! The Kāpiti Marine Reserve’s crystal-clear water is perfect for snorkelling or scuba diving.
Spend your weekends hiking or biking at one of Wellington’s many regional parks, or visit Paekākāriki, a small town north of Wellington, where you can take a walk along the beach, see spectacular views from the Paekākāriki Hill lookout, and learn about local history at the Station Museum.
You should also spend a day in Martinborough taking a cycling tour of the area’s fabulous wineries, or catch the ferry across the Cook Strait through the stunning Marlborough Sounds to the picturesque seaside town of Picton.
Why learn English in Wellington?
Choose Wellington if you want to study English in a vibrant, creative city, known for its culture and cuisine.
Enquire Now
See our schools in Wellington
