Wellington & Coast

Big opportunities in a compact capital

Wellington is the capital and one of the more compact cities of its kind anywhere. Tertiary clinical work, a serious arts and food scene, and a commute most people do on foot.

The district now runs from the city out to the Kāpiti Coast and the Hutt Valley.

Wellington at a glance

Main centres:
Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast

Population:
Regional population: 481,600
Largest urban centre: 441,200

Health district:
Wellington, Kāpiti and Hutt Valley (Capital, Coast and Hutt)

Main hospitals:
Wellington Regional, Hutt, Kenepuru

Summer average high:
20°C in January

Winter average high:
11°C in July

Sunshine:
2,070 hours a year

Rainfall:
1,250 mm a year

Living in Wellington, squeezed between hills and harbour

Wellington city wraps around a harbour with hills coming straight out of it, which keeps it small and walkable. Plenty of people here don't own a car.

The Hutt Valley sits to the north-east, more suburban and family-oriented, with the river and the ranges behind it. Porirua and the Kāpiti Coast run up the western side with beaches and a commuter train line in.

The city carries the country's political and cultural institutions, so there's more theatre, film and music here than a city this size would normally hold.

Wellington Regional Hospital, serving two islands

Health New Zealand describes Wellington Regional Hospital in Newtown as a tertiary-level hospital with advanced and specialist services including trauma, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery and comprehensive adult and paediatric care. It takes patients from the lower North Island and the upper South Island, and it has a tertiary birthing unit. Te Wao Nui, the children's hospital, is on the same campus.

Hutt Hospital is a secondary hospital and the main centre for plastic surgery, facial injuries and burns, rheumatology, public health, and breast and cervical screening.

Kenepuru Community Hospital at Porirua and the Kāpiti Health Centre at Paraparaumu cover the communities further out.

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley are one district now rather than two, so a Wellington conversation may cover roles across all of these sites.

Moving to Wellington, the Hutt or Kāpiti

The compactness is the thing people mention first. A short commute, a walk to work along the waterfront, a city centre you can cross on foot. It changes the shape of a working week.

The Hutt and Kāpiti give you more house and garden for the money, with a train line in. That's the usual trade families make.

Schooling options across the district are broad, and there's an international airport.

The fuller picture

Wellington is known for its wind, and on a calm sunny day there's nowhere better in the country. Locals will tell you that's most days.

Like much of New Zealand, Wellington is earthquake country, and the city is well prepared, with buildings and services designed with that in mind.

Many city homes sit on the hills with harbour views, while the Hutt and Kāpiti offer flatter, more spacious options a short train ride away.

Talk to us about Wellington

We'll talk through which part of the district fits your specialty and your family, because Wellington city, the Hutt and Kāpiti are quite different places to live. For international doctors, registration, immigration and relocation sit alongside the role conversation.

Talk to our team

What doctors ask us about Wellington

Talk to us about working in Wellington

Is Wellington Regional Hospital a tertiary hospital?

Yes.

Health New Zealand describes it as a tertiary-level hospital with advanced and specialist services including trauma, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery and comprehensive adult and paediatric care, taking patients from the lower North Island and the upper South Island.

What hospitals are in the Wellington region?

Wellington Regional Hospital in Newtown, with Te Wao Nui children's hospital on the same campus, Hutt Hospital in Lower Hutt, Kenepuru Community Hospital in Porirua and the Kāpiti Health Centre at Paraparaumu.

What is it like living in Wellington?

Compact and walkable, with a short commute and a strong arts, film and food scene for a city its size. The harbour, the waterfront and the hills give it a setting few capitals can match.