Wellington City is the capital of New Zealand, making the entire Wellington Region an integral part of the New Zealand economy.

While Wellington can receive high winds due to being open to the sea, hense earning the title "Windy Wellington", the region also receives more than 2000 hours of sunshine per year. The temperature ranges from 6.2°C (mean winter temperature) to 20.3°C (mean summer temperature).

One good thing about the wind is that it brings great surf with many international competitions held there.

Wellington; New Zealand's capital city, is imaginatively positioned between a picturesque harbour and forested green hills.

Wellington houses most industries, but it contains the highest proportion of people working in government, communications services, finance and insurance, property and business services industries in New Zealand.

At the southern end of Lambton Quay, you'll find an interesting collection of parliamentary buildings. Admire the Victorian Gothic Parliamentary Library, the Edwardian neo-classical Parliament House and the 1960s "Beehive" - the executive wing of the parliamentary complex.

Wellington is a cultural capital, being the home of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, National Opera and the National dance and drama schools, who all perform regularly.

The city is home to memorable arts, cultural and heritage attractions including the national museum, Te Papa.

Wellington is a funky place, with some great architecture and sculptures, like the Silver Fern Ball in the Civic Centre.

Natural attractions, such as the wild south coast, are within easy reach of the city centre.

Sophisticated yet friendly, Wellington has great shopping and nightlife. The downtown area can match New York with the number of cafes and restaurants per head.

Just north of Wellington city is the Hutt Valley, an area that offers a variety of outdoor and adventure experiences, including bush walks, fishing and thrilling mountain bike tracks.

Wellington has one of the world's most beautiful harbours. The waterfront area between downtown and Oriental Bay is a popular recreation area for visitors and city dwellers.

Walk around Queens Wharf to Oriental Bay for a swim at the golden sand beach. If you're feeling adventurous, try sea kayaking, rollerblading and rock-climbing. Or make yourself comfortable at a café, bar or restaurant and quietly absorb the massive harbour views.

There are numerous other walking routes to follow, from coastal tracks to hikes through the hills.

Nothing defines a city's character quite as well as its architecture. Wellington's most striking architectural feature is the collection of historical timber houses displayed on the green hills surrounding the harbour.

The wooden theme is a consistent one, as you'll see when you visit Old St Paul's, Katherine Mansfield Birthplace, Antrim House, historical Thorndon and the Old Government Buildings - the largest wooden structure in the Southern Hemisphere.

Catch the cable car from Lambton Quay up to the Botanic Garden, then wander down through 26 acres of specialist gardens, native bush and lawn areas to historical Thorndon, New Zealand's oldest suburb. Or take in the 360° panorama of Wellington city, harbour and the Cook Strait from the top of Mount Victoria.