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Wellington
The earliest name for Wellington, from
Maori legend, is Te Upoko o te Ika a
Maui. In Maori it means ‘the head of Maui's fish’. Caught and
pulled to
the surface by Polynesian navigator Maui, the fish became the
North Island.
Wellington is the world's most southern capital and the only
capital in the
"Roaring Forties" latitudes.
Wellington's central business area is divided into four
quarters. These
reflect the city's four distinct flavours. All are within easy
walking
distance of each other. There is concentrated shopping and
indulgence in the
Lambton Quarter, intellectual and lifestyle shopping in the
Willis Quarter,
funky and innovative shopping in the Cuba Quarter and sheer
entertainment in
the Courtenay Quarter. There's something for everyone in
Downtown
Wellington. It is as diverse as it is compact.
Wellington is famous for its restaurants, wine and coffee. More
than 300
cafes and restaurants are located throughout the city.
Wellington has more
places to eat and drink per head than New York. The city has a
healthy
professional theater scene. The Downstage Theatre, in Hannah
Playhouse,
Courtenay Place, corner of Cambridge Terrace, presents
first-rate theater in
an exciting, award-winning structure. Downstage's year-round
season presents
its own productions and the best touring shows, including
classics,
contemporary drama, comedy, and dance, with an emphasis on
quality New
Zealand works.
Wellington is such a compact city that it's easy for visitors to
find their
way around and to wander at ease. The best place to start is
Lambton Quay,
which has three linked arcades, and Capital on Quay, at 250
Lambton Quay.
There are boutiques, a heap of shoe stores, music shops, and
excellent
bookstores. It's also where you'll find Wellington's most famous
department
store, Kirkcaldie & Stains, offering traditional service and
quality
merchandise since 1863. Look out for the NZ$20 million (US$11
million)
redevelopment of the historic Bank of New Zealand building on
Lambton Quay.
It's now the Old Bank Arcade & Chambers, a stunning retail
arcade after the
style of Sydney's Queen Victoria Arcade. It has attracted
interest from top
national and international retail stores and includes
restaurants, cafes,
bars, and designer clothing stores.
You can visit New Zealand at any time of the year. Summer and
winter
temperatures vary by only about 10ºC over most of the country,
making New
Zealand an ideal holiday destination all year round.
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