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Wellington

Capital of New ZealandAt the south-western tip of New Zealand's North Island, Wellington wraps around a large natural harbour between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range.

Why it's the capital

Auckland was the capital from 1841, but in 1865 the capital moved to Wellington. Commissioners invited from Australia, chosen because they were neutral, picked it for its central location in New Zealand and its good harbour.

Fun facts

  1. The city is named after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, who won the Battle of Waterloo in 1815; its Māori name, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, means 'the great harbour of Tara'.
  2. Wellington is the southernmost capital of a sovereign state in the world.
  3. Strong gales blowing near the mouth of narrow Cook Strait have given the city the nickname 'Windy Wellington'.

Finding it on the globe

Tap the very southern end of New Zealand's North Island, right on Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates it from the South Island.

Easy to mix up

Many players tap Auckland, New Zealand's most populous city, which lies much further north.

Sources: Wikipedia: Wellington, Wikipedia: Auckland, Wikipedia: Cook Strait