Filming In Wellington NZ

Things you need to know (or we thought you might like to know) about Wellington City – New Zealand’s film, creative, and café capital.

Banking

Most banks operate Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm. Some banks are open on Saturdays. Automated teller machines (ATM's) operate 24 hours. There are also foreign exchange bureaus in the central city.

Culture/lifestyle
If you get the time, you’ll find Wellington has more eateries per head than New York City. Most of them located in our infamous Courtenay quarter. Our many cafes also serve some of the best coffee you’ll find anywhere.

Currency

Our unit of currency is the New Zealand Dollar which comes in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 cents and $1 and $2 coins. Our notes have the values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. For an up to date currency conversion rate visit: National Bank of New Zealand

Driving

We drive on the left hand side of the road. Our vehicles are right hand drive. For more information about driving in New Zealand visit: Land Transport New Zealand.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts (50 hertz). Most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated 20 watts) for electric razors only. An adapter/converter will be needed for all other equipment. The power outlets use flat two or three pin plugs.

Emergency telephone numbers

Ambulance, Fire and Police - dial 111

Wellington Hospital, Riddiford Street, Newtown - dial (+64 4) 385 5999

Goods & Services Tax (GST)

All goods and services in New Zealand attract GST of 12.5%, except those things purchased at duty free shops.

Hot or not?

Definitely hot. We were the only New Zealand city to make it into 2004 Conde Nast Traveller’s top 100 (No.18)

Language

English and Maori are the official languages of New Zealand along with New Zealand sign language. New Zealand became the first country in the world to declare this as an official language in April 2006.

Medical Centre/Urgent Pharmacy

You will find these situated at 17 Adelaide Road, Newtown. Dial (+64 4) 385 8810.

Population

Wellington City 179,466*

Lower Hutt City 97,701

Porirua City 48,546

Kapiti Coast District 46,200

Upper Hutt City 38,415

(2006 census)

*Plus one large cgi ape

Public Holidays	2008	2009
New Year’s Day	Tuesday 1st January	Thursday 1st January
Following Day	Wednesday 2nd January	Friday 2nd January
Wellington Anniversary	Monday 21st January	Monday 19th January
Waitangi Day	Wednesday 6th February	Friday 6th February
Good Friday	Friday 21st March	Friday 10th April
Easter Monday	Monday 24th March	Monday 13th April
Anzac Day	Friday 25th April	Saturday 25th April
Queen’s Birthday	Monday 2nd June	Monday 1st June
Labour Day	Monday 27th October	Monday 26th October
Christmas Day	Thursday 25th December	Friday 25th December
Boxing Day	Friday 26th December	Saturday 26th December

Safe and sound

More Wellingtonians feel safe in their homes than in other cities. (Quality of Life Report commissioned by national city councils 2001). A feeling that’s reflected in our low crime stats and one your production can benefit from through lower insurance premiums.

Small but perfectly formed

Central Wellington is only 2 kilometres in diameter, so you can walk from one side to the other in under 20 minutes. Nearly all Wellington residents live within 3 km of the sea.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in all bars, restaurants, cafes, casinos and indoor work areas. However, it is not unusual for a designated outside area to be provided at these venues.

Telephone

Our international dialing code is: 0064 4

Our local area code is: 04

Directory assistance - National 018

Directory assistance - International 0172

Operator - National 010

Operator - International 0170

Timezone

GMT/UTC +12. From the beginning of October until the end of March daylight saving operates when clocks are put forward one hour. There are no time differences within New Zealand.

Tipping

Tipping is not usual in New Zealand.

Transport

It’s easy to get around Wellington City on foot. We also have a full range of transport options - taxi, bus, train, even ferries – for travel within the city and further afield.

Wellington Airport is the busiest in New Zealand for domestic scheduled flights and is only 15 minutes drive from central Wellington. It’s also just a few minutes away from Miramar’s world-class film facilities.

Well-connected
Wellington is the only city in the world to have four high-capacity fibre-optic networks. So you can send your rushes back home at the speed of light …

We’ve got the smarts
Wellington has the most educated and highly-paid workforce in the country.