New Zealand is truly one of the most beautiful countries to visit in the world. Right off the mainland of Australia, this lovely place features many natural wonders and rich historical sites. It is a famous tourist destination. Wellington is the capitol city of New Zealand but also doubles as the third most populated city in the country. It is located on the tip of New Zealand’s North Island.
The name, Wellington, comes from one Arthur Wellesley, who was at the time of the founding of the city, the duke of Wellington and the victor that emerged from the Battle of Waterloo which oversaw Napoleon’s ultimate downfall. In Maori (the native language of New Zealand aborigines), there are three different names from the area of Wellington. The first is Te whanga-nui-a-Tara, which means “the great harbor of Tara.” The second name is ‘Poneke’ which serves as a transliteration of a nickname for Port Nicholson. The last name is Te-Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Maui, which means “the head of the fish of Maui. This name derives from the traditional name of the northern part of the island that, according to local legend, was fished out of the sea by the demi-god Maui.
Settlement of the island occurred in 1829 on the New Zealand company ship, the Tory. However, legend says that Kupe discovered the land and the districts during the tenth century. 150 more settlers arrived in 1840 after the first settlers had already cultivated the land a little in the preceding eleven years to their arrival. They eventually constructed their settlement in Petone, which was for some time referred to as Britannia. It sat on the banks of the Hutt River. It was not a good place to settle, however, as it was swampy and damp. They redrew their plans and moved the settlement to what’s now known as Wellington. It became the capitol in 1841.
Wellington is a very important in the political and economic plateau of New Zealand. It is the seat of the New Zealand Parliament. The head of all of the Government Ministries and Departments as well as diplomatic relations are located here, as well. It is the centre of government for New Zealand. The centre of the city is quite compact and boasts a vast array of entertainment and cultural landmarks. The nightlife is very well known in the area and features many art galleries, boutique and cafes that visitors and locals love to visit. It is also an important facet of the film and music industry of New Zealand. There are also several famous organizations and centres located here: The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Te Papa Tongarewa (the museum of New Zealand), the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Musuem of Wellington City and Sea among many others. These sites are well known in the country, however, and attract many thousands of visitors every single year. The Museum of New Zealand is perhaps among the most eye opening of all, giving a peek into the rich history of the country.
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