Wanganui & Wellington
Introduction on Wanganui & Wellington
Wanganui & Wellington covers the southern tip and the mid east of the northern island of New Zealand. This area is rich of many contradictions. From the capital Wellington to the rural area in Whanganui National Park; from the more than 2500 meter high Mount Taraniki (or Mount Egmont) to the rolling hills around Wanganui. Other examples this area offers are excellent (surf) Beaches, rugged coastlines, lots of History and excellent wines made around Martinborough.
Visiting Wanganui & Wellington
When visiting Wanganui & Wellington the capital of New Zealand; Wellington can not be skipped. Wellington is a nice place. It is characterized by its port and its many art galleries, museums and other places of cultural interest. You can base yourself in Wellington but can also explore this beautiful and atmosphere rich city from surrounding urban settlements.
Visitors longing for the more remote and less touristy area of this part of New Zealand will love the southeastern and eastern bit of Wanganui & Wellington. This part offers a remote and rugged coastline with splendid views on the southern island. Furthermore this area is characterized by its vineyards with Martinborough as the “Wine Capital” of this area.
The more often traveled part of this region is the west part. This part is characterized by its rolling hills and impressive coastline. When arriving at Wanganui (when heading north from Wellington) it is highly recommendable to head via the Whanganui River or along the road near it to Whanganui National Park. Here you will come across lots of Maori Culture and History. Besides that the National Park offers great wilderness and remoteness.
A not to be forgotten very nice and impressive part of Wanganui & Wellington is Mount Taraniki (or Mount Egmont). This is a volcanic mountain over 2500 meter high. This mountain is a Walhalla for trampers. On a clear day you will have breathtaking views from the mountain; the views towards the mountain are almost as beautiful when standing on its summit. The area around this volcanic mountain is blessed with rolling hills and excellent surf and windsurf Beaches.
Economy of Wanganui & Wellington
This area of New Zealand is excellent for farming; together with tourism this is the main economic driving force of this area. The area around Mount Taraniki (or Mount Egmont) is “filled” with dairy country. Furthermore the economic driving force of this part of Wanganui & Wellington is the gas and oil fields this area is rich of. When going a bit more south dairy is getting less prevalent, here horticultural products and sheep can be found a lot as well. When arriving at the southern tip of the northern island the economic driving forces have changed more to market gardening and to vineyards (around Martinborough). Wellington’s Economy is dependant on the political and institutional organizations which are based in the capital. Furthermore Wellington’s Economy is dependant on the tourism industry (international, national).
History of Wanganui & Wellington
The Maori inhabited this part of New Zealand long before the European settlers arrived. In 1860 some wars between the Maori and the European settlers took place. In this region, with in particular in the area around Mount Taranaki (or Mount Egmont) one of the fiercest battles of New Zealand took place. About Wellington’s History: Wellington was first inhabited by Maori. Whanga-Nui-a-Tara was the original Maori name. In 1840 the European settlers arrived and changed it into Wellington. Wellington became the capital of New Zealand in 1865. The previous capitals were respectively Auckland and Russell (northern tip of the northern island). Nowadays the Maori and European settlers’ History is still prevalent. Places to “experience” the History are for example museums but even better: along Whanganui River.
Climate of Wanganui & Wellington
Summer: Average 21 degrees Celsius.
Winter: Average 13 degrees Celsius.
Year round: Average 2230 sun hours and 1200mm annual rainfall.