I'll be sure to post my experiences. To be honest, you're the first people I've seen or spoken to who have had a bad word to say about Wellington! Having lived in Dublin for six years, the weather is not too much of a concern, although it is true that stuff always look better when the sun is out. The whole timescale for the interview has been quite short, so I haven't really had a chance to look into the weather yet. Fortunately (although the sun is out now), the UK summer has been pretty dreadful this year so the contrast is not likely to be that big.
Being somewhat nerdy, and having travelled half way round the world, I think I have to go to Te Papa! As well as getting a feel for the city, I also want to get a better sense of New Zealand history and culture. It's not really something we learn much about over here.
The job is at Victoria University, so I think a trip up the hill on the Cable Car is also a must - although I think I will try it on foot too, if I can. As much as possible, I like to commute and travel by foot, particularly when trying to get a feel for a place. Size gets distorted on public transport. (Although, I have heard the public transport in Wellington is great!)
Going to a supermarket is a great idea. It's always something I notice when I go to visit friends in other places but something I rarely do when staying in a hotel. Are there any typically New Zealand snacks or sweets to bring back for those left behind? (They are always so much cheaper in the supermarket than the airport!)
Hi
Be great to hear how you get on, we are coming for a visit to Wellington in October (just need to get some job interviews sorted) and will be doing the same as you - getting a feel for the place. We have a few days in the centre and are then heading up the coast to Plimmerton to see some friends and see if it is an area we would like to live.
Good luck for the interview
The Pineapple Lump is an iconic NZ sweet...we love them but I know a lot of people think they are gross.
Whittakers chocolate is another, as is Hokey Pokey ice cream; though I don't think the ice cream would enjoy the trip back to the UK
We love TePapa and we've spent hours there and still not seen it all. I'd say go in and give it a quick go, but let it be something to look forward to for the future. The Wellington Land and Sea museum is also historically fascinating and much much smaller.
There are a couple of other Kiwis in the area where I live in Arizona. When I take a trip to NZ they always ask for Pineapple Lumps and Jaffas. Minties used to be on the list but they're really sticky and are hard on dental work!
An hour isn't long enough in Te Papa!
If you want something really iconic, try getting a little jar of honey. You can get them from Honeymeisters opposite the tourist info office and main library or the supermarket.
Good things to do - suggested already but definitely a little visit to Te Papa and walk along the waterfront, Museum of city and the sea, up cuba street (OK, it does look very scruffy at first), coffee in whichever cafe takes your fancy, up the cable car, if it is nice weather go on the dominion post ferry boat for a harbour cruise, take a bus - perhaps the number 3 to Lyall Bay beach and watch the surfing and the airport comings and goings from that iconic Wellington cafe The Maranui.
Alternatively take the number 24 bus round the bays and up over the Miramar peninsula to Miramar (then take the number 2 bus back into town) - great views of the town and harbour and across to the south island mountains.
Bus timetables here:
http://www.metlink.org.nz/
You could hire a car one day and go for a drive, how about driving the wellington bays and also to the top of mount victoria to get a feel for the coastline and geography of the city, or perhaps drive up the coast to Waikanae and across to the Wairarapa.
Have a great time, hope you get some good weather and best wishes for the interview.
The weather is generally better than the UK, we have been here 2 and a half years now and I have yet to wear gloves, scarf or a hat. The wind doesn't really bother us too much, there are bad days but there the wind goes and it's beautiful. It doesn't settle in for weeks at a time like in the UK.
I've been thinking of other things! We took the ferry to Eastbourne, it gave us fantastic views of Wellington from the harbour although watch out for that wind! I also loved Te Papa and spent far too long in the earthquake section, which I think is probably aimed at children!
If you head down to Parliament do a tour - they are free from memory and really interesting. I particularly liked seeing the earthquake protection mechanism in the foundations.
Oriental Bay is lovely for a stroll. The botanical gardens are beautiful. I didn't make it to the top of Mount Victoria but it's supposed to be amazing.
I also found that everywhere in NZ had amazing Sushi. We got a beautiful, fresh, cheap, sushi from a little place in Cuba St and sat and people watched for a while.
I am full of enthusiasm about Wellington at the moment because we will be there in just over a month!
Oh lordy, I called it the "Land and Sea" museum instead of "City and Sea". I must have been thinking of steak and shrimp....
This is what I meant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_...n_City_%26_Sea