Wellington is not only the capital of New Zealand but also the Creativity Capital of New Zealand. With the emphasis that New Zealand is putting on creativity and innovation, Wellington is a step ahead of most of the country according to Infometric. With its designation, it’s only natural that I would want to experience the city myself.
At roughly 1600 km long (990 miles), New Zealand’s two islands
are about the length of a third of the continental United States. That’s a nice
drive in America of about 18 hours depending on which states you go through and
the maximum speed limit. I have been told that’s not the case in New Zealand.
The roads aren’t highways. They tend to wind and have lower speed limits. The
other impediment to drive time is the ferry. It may not run in inclement
weather, and of course, it only departs at certain times of the day. The cost
is also something to consider. I was told around $200 NZ for a car and two
passengers.
With all of this in mind, choosing destinations for New
Zealand is going to depend on what we really want to see – not the road or the
inside of a car – and what we can get to comfortably. Personally, I don’t
necessarily want to spend my time driving at all. On the other hand, my second
hand knowledge has said that public transportation doesn’t exist, and the buses
that go between towns take even longer than cars.
The Arts Council of New Zealand is dedicated to opening the world to the arts of New Zealand. It facilitates creative exchanges and helps fund everyday artists and their works. Called “Creative New Zealand,” the organization is funded by the government and confirms New Zealand’s dedication to the arts and their proliferation.