Ace Rental Cars Blog

Discover the beauty of New Zealand/Aotearoa’s capital city of Wellington, a city steeped in contemporary culture and a treasured history. Also known in te reo Māori as Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui, Wellington’s Māori name translates to The Head of the Fish of Māui. Characterised by its steep hills, vibrant atmosphere and close proximity to nature, Wellington offers a rich culture to be explored as you travel around the city in your Ace rental car.

New Zealand’s Capital

While Wellington is the country’s capital city, it has only held that title since 1865. This bustling hub of steep hills and windy streets is actually the third New Zealand city to be claimed as the capital. Old Russell/Okiato on the northern tip of the North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui was the first to be declared the capital of New Zealand in 1840 after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. However, just a year later in 1841, the capital city title was moved to the country’s largest city, Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau. Auckland didn’t hold the capital city designation for long—1865 saw Parliament permanently move to Wellington, which has been the capital of New Zealand until this day. Now, with its capital nestled into the heart of the country, New Zealand’s Wellington is the southernmost city on the North Island. This city also claims the title of being the world’s southernmost capital of a sovereign state. Discover the landmarks that tell the story of Wellington’s past with a visit to the New Zealand Parliament, the Old Government Buildings and the Civic Square to witness the rich history of Wellington come to life.

The Rich Māori History

Before the Europeans settled in Wellington, the area was home to a thriving Māori population that is believed to have settled in the area around the end of the 1200s. You can observe the treasured significance of Wellington’s Māori history as you travel around this picturesque city, with many of the names of places being derived from important historical Māori figures. The great Māori explorer Kupe is thought to have visited and lived in Wellington’s harbour hundreds of years ago. You can see the mark that his presence has left there within the Māori names of Somes and Ward Islands, which are Matiu and Mākaro. Discover a slice of paradise in Matiu/Somes Island with a day trip filled with adventure and natural beauty. Park your Ace rental car at the Queens Wharf ferry terminal in Wellington and journey across the water to explore the gentle walking tracks and lush scenic landscapes teeming with native flora and fauna.

A City of Quirks

As you traverse Wellington city’s streets, look a little closer and you’ll notice a unique difference in how Wellington does things. Or perhaps, in how they light things up. Many of the pedestrian crossings include carefully selected shaped lanterns that light up as you cross the road, with the traditional red or green men replaced with historical figures. These specially made silhouettes include the haka lanterns around Waitangi Park that represent the Māori community, Kate Sheppard lanterns around Parliament that represents the activist’s efforts in New Zealand’s women's suffrage movement, Carmen Rupe lanterns around Cuba Street that represent that famous drag performer, as well as many more. Whether you’re stopped at the lights in your car or waiting to cross the road on foot around the streets of Wellington, remember to look up at the pedestrian crossing lanterns—you might just light up with the discovery of a chapter to Wellington’s history that you were in the dark about before.

Contemporary Culture and the Future of Wellington

As Wellington continues to evolve, paving new paths and creating new history as the city grows, its contemporary culture continues to evolve along with it. A hub of food, drink and arts, this urban wonderland presents both a treasured history and a thriving community of the future. With over 400 hundred cafes and restaurants around Wellington, the city rivals New York on a per person basis of eateries. Experience Wellington’s food culture for yourself with a stop by the renowned Graze Wine Bar in Kelburn or a meal at the Ortega Fish Shack in Mount Victoria. If you want to discover more of how Wellington’s history intersects with its future, make sure to visit the country’s national museum on Wellington’s waterfront, Te Papa Tongarewa. This museum will not only educate but also intrigue with exhibitions that tell Wellington’s story—one that continues to grow.

New Zealand’s capital city is not only a place of rich history and significant stories, but also one of contemporary culture and ongoing evolution. Discover Wellington and all that it has to offer in your Ace rental car as you traverse the city and learn about the history that built it.