LOCAL CULTURE
MAORI CULTURE
When greeting another Maori you may touch noses together, called a Hongi. This is to symbolise the breathing of life into the person you are greeting. Maori take their culture seriously ,so please take note not to be disrespectful. A relaxed and common greeting expression is: Kia Ora. A more formal greeting to an individual is: Tēnā koe.
NO SMOKING IN CITY BARS, RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS
Smoking in all hospitality venues, including bars, restaurants, and cafes is prohibited in Wellington and throughout New Zealand. InterContinental Wellington is also a non-smoking hotel.
PEOPLE
Wellington is a very friendly city , filled with arts, culture and cafes. The New Zealand capital has two universities and many government departments located in the city, so there are a wide and diverse range of people living in and around the Wellington area.
Tipping great service
It is not compulsory to tip in New Zealand however if you do feel like someone has done a great job and would like to tip, please feel free to do so.
Wellington's famous weather
Wellington can be a very windy city and carries this reputation internationally. When travelling about Wellington it's recommended to carry a coat or jacket to be prepared. The sun can also be surprisingly severe, so ensure you use a sun-screen lotion during summer months.
DID YOU KNOW ?
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Wellington is the home of Weta Studios and Peter Jackson's film empire which produced, among other films, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy, launched in November 2012. Tours can take you on excursions of where the action was filmed. The recently renovated Embassy Theatre is where the grand opening was held. Ask the Concierge team about the secrets of "Wellywood", as the city is often affectionately called.
Mount Victoria
This is Wellington's main lookout. It offers a 360 degree view of the Wellington region. Great for photo opportunities, it also has a wonderful walking trek. Very peaceful but still close to the heart of the city. The site has also proven to be a perfect spot to view the moon rise in the night sky.
Southern most capital city
Wellington is the nation's capital city. It is the southernmost capital city in the world. Much of the Wellington waterfront is now built on reclaimed land. The waterfront was once lapping the shore at what is now Lambton Quay, only a short walk from the hotel.
The city has been split into Quarters
Lambton Quarter, Cuba Quarter, Courtney Quarter and Waterfront Quarter. This helps differentiate the great activities the capital city has to offer - each quarter has its own special something . For a detailed description, please visit our "In The Know" Concierge team.
Trolley Buses
Wellington City has its very own environmentally-friendly trolley buses as part of the regular public transport service. This service is an icon in the Wellington region. The New Zealand capital is one of the few cities in the world to operate this service for the public.
WHAT TO PACK
Camera
Wellington offers some fantastic sights and views to take home as photographic memories to show family and friends. For the perfect panaromic shot, head to the top of Mt Victoria and take in the view of the harbour and city skyline.
Clothing
Wellington can be a very cold place during the Winter months so bring a jacket and other warm items. In the Summer months, light clothing is appropriate but a jacket may also be needed. If you need to purchase an additional layer, do not worry as the Lambton Quarter has some of New Zealand's leading retail outlets.
Shoes
Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. Everything in Wellington is within walking distance from the hotel. Walking tracks are also readily available.
Sunscreen
The sun over NZ can be very harsh. Sunscreen is reccommended as most people will tend to get sunburnt. We are always reminding people of the dangers of too much strong sunlight on the skin. The hotel will be able to provide sunscreen.