Wellington Region is located at the southern end of New Zealand's North Island and is home to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Wellington is the center of the New Zealand government, politics, and culture, boasting a variety of museums, art spaces, and a vibrant food culture. The Wellington Region is a key transportation hub connecting the South and North Islands, featuring beautiful natural scenery where coastlines and hills blend together, along with rich cultural assets. Additionally, the film and broadcasting industries have grown significantly, earning it the nickname "Hollywood of the South," and it is especially famous as the production site of director Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series.

1. Capital of New Zealand

   Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the political center where government institutions and the parliament are located. The Prime Minister's residence, government offices, and the New Zealand Parliament building known as 'The Beehive' are situated in downtown Wellington, along with many major public institutions and diplomatic missions.

2. Center of Culture and Arts

   Wellington is known as the "Cultural Capital" due to its developed arts and culture scene, featuring numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and performance venues. In particular, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum, showcases New Zealand's history and culture through its rich exhibitions, making it very popular among tourists.

3. Natural Scenery Combining Sea and Hills

   The Wellington region has a terrain where the coast and hills harmonize, allowing beautiful beaches and highland views to be enjoyed from anywhere in the city. It is also famous for its strong winds, and well-maintained coastal walking paths and hiking trails make it great for enjoying nature.

4. Development of Film and Creative Industries

   Wellington is known as the filming location for director Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings series, which greatly boosted its film industry. World-renowned special effects and animation companies like Weta Workshop and Weta Digital are based here, earning it the nickname "Hollywood of the Southern Hemisphere." Many film fans visit Wellington for filming location tours and to visit the Weta Workshop.

1. Wellington

   The capital of New Zealand and the central city of the Wellington region. Wellington is a place where nature and the city harmoniously blend, with various cultural and artistic activities unfolding against the backdrop of the sea and hills. Throughout the city, there are museums, theaters, and film studios, along with a vibrant food culture, cafes, and bars.

2. Lower Hutt

   A city located northeast of Wellington city, it is one of Wellington's major satellite cities. There are walking trails and parks along the Hutt River, as well as several cultural attractions, making it a great area for family visits. With many outdoor activities and sports facilities, it is a popular weekend retreat for Wellington residents.

3. Upper Hutt

   A city located further north from Lower Hutt, it is one of Wellington's suburban areas. Surrounded by nature parks and mountains, it is ideal for enjoying outdoor leisure activities such as hiking, camping, and cycling. Upper Hutt is a quiet residential area, suitable for those looking to escape the city and enjoy a relaxed natural environment.

4. Porirua

   A city located on the northern coast of Wellington, famous for its coastal and nearby beautiful natural scenery. Various water sports can be enjoyed around Porirua Harbour and Mana Island, and the community is multicultural, making it a region rich in cultural diversity.

1. Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum

   New Zealand's national museum and one of the most famous museums in New Zealand. Meaning "our place," this museum offers a variety of exhibits covering New Zealand's history, Maori culture, and natural environment. With many interactive exhibits, it is popular among children and family visitors.

2. The Beehive

   One of the buildings of the New Zealand Parliament, notable for its unique beehive-shaped architecture. As the center of New Zealand politics, guided tours provide opportunities to learn about the building's interior and history, as well as to understand the political and governmental system.

3. Weta Workshop & Weta Cave

   A tour site of the world-renowned special effects and film production company located in Wellington, where you can see special effects and props from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series. The tour offers hands-on experiences with movie prop creation and special effects technology, making it very popular among movie fans.

4. Wellington Cable Car

   A cable car connecting downtown Wellington and Kelburn Hill, offering panoramic views of Wellington city and the harbor. At the top of the cable car is the Wellington Botanic Garden, where visitors can enjoy a walk in beautiful natural surroundings.

5. Wellington Botanic Garden

   A beautiful botanical garden located on Kelburn Hill, featuring a variety of plant species and gardens. Visitors can enjoy walks and picnics in the garden where different flowers and trees bloom seasonally, and it is also a great spot for viewing nightscapes.

6. Oriental Bay

   A popular beach in Wellington, bustling with people swimming and sunbathing during the summer. The coastline has walking paths, cafes, and restaurants, making it a great place to relax while enjoying beautiful views of Wellington city with the sea as a backdrop.

7. Kaitoke Regional Park

   A nature reserve located near Upper Hutt, featuring rich primeval forests and rivers, ideal for camping and hiking. It is also a famous spot for movie fans, as it was used as the filming location for the Elven kingdom "Rivendell" in Lord of the Rings.

8. Red Rocks Reserve

   A nature reserve located on the southern coast of Wellington, featuring red rock formations and the sea as a backdrop. Visitors can climb onto the rocks to watch the sunset or observe sea lions, and there are well-maintained trekking trails.

9. Mount Victoria Lookout

   A famous lookout offering panoramic views of Wellington city and the harbor, ideal for watching sunrises and sunsets. From the summit of Mount Victoria, you can see the entire city of Wellington and the southern coast, making it a popular spot for photography.