Back to work: Your Welly summer guide

Go for walking meetings 

Sometimes all you need is fresh air and a change of scenery to make your work day a little better. Take your meetings on a walk and make the most of the sunshine. 

Botanic Garden ki Paekākā  
We are lucky to have 25-hectares of beautiful gardens tucked away in Kelburn – a stones throw away from the CBD! You could take a walk through the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, stroll around the duck pond, or even just make the walk from the Terrace or Bowen Street to the gardens before looping back. 

Bolton Street Cemetery 
Visit the historic Bolton Street Cemetery, taking in the notable graves and beautiful heritage gardens along the way. End your walk near the Beehive parliament building and the Bolton Street Cottage.  

Waterfront 
Luckily for us, we can access the waterfront from many different points in the city. You can walk from the Railway Station all the way through to Oriental Bay and beyond. Why not take in the views of the harbour and get some fresh air. There's also plenty of spots to sit down and discuss work if you need!  

Oriental Bay 
Take in the sights of the boat sheds as you head to the beach, where you can park up and dip your feet in the water or stroll across the sand. 

Change up your commute 

Tired of the same old commuting grind? Shake up your routine this year to make it more enjoyable. 

Public transport perks 
There are plenty of ways to make public transport more enjoyable. You can sign up to Metlink to get notifications about your chosen transport service, so you are aware of any changes to your journey. We’ve added new bus lanes between Newtown and the city, and from the western suburbs too – making journeys quicker and more reliable.

It’s also the perfect time to maximise your travel time – make the most of it by chucking on an audiobook or pulling out your eReader or a good book. The Libby app is a great way to get free ebooks and audiobooks through your library membership. You could also check out a new podcast from this list of top 100 most popular podcasts in Aotearoa. 

Flamingo/Beam eBikes or scooters
Ever just hopped off the train and not felt like walking to work? Or, if you just want something to get around town, cut your time in half by jumping on two wheels. The e-scooters and e-bikes available from Flamingo or Beam are a great way to give biking or scooting a go while you’re on the go!

Try out one of the new biking and walking routes 
There are a range of walking and biking paths available in and out of the city, making your commute safer and enjoyable for everyone. You can try out different routes – from Kilbirnie via Cobham Drive and Lyall Bay, from Newtown into the city, or  take your bike up to Botanic Garden ki Paekākā. Check out more planned routes. 

Metlink on demand in Tawa 
Metlink On Demand is a unique corner-to-corner bus service, available to the residents of Tawa and the Porirua CBD. Once you’ve downloaded and set up the On Demand app, you can book your ride by selecting your virtual pick-up and drop off location. The app will guide you to where the On Demand driver will pick you up and drop you off. 

Running routes to the city  
The best thing about Wellington being a walkable city is that you can easily turn your regular walking routes into running tracks. If you live close to the CBD, you could turn your morning commute into a chance to get in some fresh air and exercise. Or, end your day with a run home and spend the evening relaxing.

Ride with Mevo or City Hop 
With vehicles spread across the city, you could book yourself a Mevo or City Hop to get you to your next location. This can save you time and money, and you can easily drop it off at one of the convenient Flex Zones in the city.

Enjoy some retail therapy 

One of the best parts about being in a walkable city is the ability to jump from shop to shop. There are plenty of boutiques, local designers and specialty shops for when you need a bit of retail therapy on your lunch break or after work. Here are some spots to check out around Victoria Street. 

• Trade Aid – Wholesale beautiful craft and organic food products from around the world. 
• Vessel – New Zealand made pottery and ceramics. 
• Yu Mei – A luxury leather goods label. 
• Juliette Hogan – Clothing from New Zealand fashion designer, Juliette Hogan. 
  The Village Goldsmith – Award-winning jeweller, making unique to custom designs. 
• The Axe – Unexpected and interesting furniture, homeware and gifts. 
• Gregory – A fashion label that has been around for 20 years. 

Down an iced coffee 

Nothing hits the spot quite like an iced coffee in the middle of a hot workday. Here are some spots to check out when you need a pick-me-up.  

• Pour & Twist, Garrett Street – Not just your regular iced coffee, this place packs a punch with iced coffee with a twist. 
• Fugu Café - Get a cold drink on wheels! This cute iced matcha bike travels around the city. Keep an eye out for it on the streets. 
• Nikau Café - Don’t sleep on Nikau café and their coffee, which has been fuelling Wellingtonians for decades.
• Evil Twins, Willis Street – This spot is known for their delicious iced drinks ranging from iced coffee to iced matcha.  
• Customs, Ghuznee Street – Maple syrup in an iced coffee is a must, and Customs know how to do it well. 
• Concord, Victoria Street – Tucked away on the corner of Victoria Street, Concord not only has delicious beverages on offer but a great menu too.  
• Gemini Cafe, Tory Street – Nothing will perk you up more than getting a teddy bear of frozen coffee in your drink and then pouring espresso over it to get the perfect iced coffee. 
• Raglan Roast, The Terrace – Speedy service and the perfect place to set up for a meeting and a coffee. 
• Caffeinated Dragon, Victoria Street – Not only can you stop and have a locally roasted Karamu bean iced coffee, you can also play a wide range of board games while you’re at it!  
• Sixes and Sevens, Taranaki Street – Fancy a sweet treat to go with your morning coffee? Sixes and Sevens is where it’s at.  

Head out to a shared workspace 

Waiting for inspiration to strike at work? Maybe you just need a change of scenery. Consider heading out to a new working space for a day. 

Te Awe Library 
Located on Brandon Street, Te Awe Library has plenty of cosy pockets to hunker down in and get some work done. A bonus is there is free wifi and two meeting rooms available for booking, which can be booked up to four weeks in advance. 

Zephyr cafe at Tākina 
It can be tricky trying to collaborate in the office when you have been staring at the same four walls every day, so why not venture out for a coffee and a snack with your team? Zephyr, the cafe at Tākina, has plenty of seating options and plenty of cabinet food to pick from. 

2/57 Willis Street 
Need to have an off-site meeting? Maybe take the work chat to a new space to see what ideas flow. You can book in a spot at the shared working spaces at Two/Fifty Seven Willis Street or even just work in the office. There is also the option to get a membership where you can pop in and out as you please. 

Freshen up your work outfits

Indulge in funky, boho, and vintage vibes on Cuba Street by exploring a range of op shops to find your summer outfits!  

From vintage consignment Hunters & Collectors to retro Spacesuit, treasure trove Ziggurat to Paper Bag Princess – there’s something for all tastes, and budgets. Top tip – veer off the corner from Ombra Bar & Restaurant and find Recycle Boutique!    

Grab a cheap eat 

Don’t break the bank on your next meal out. WellingtonNZ have put together an awesome list of all the daily dining deals in the city, so you can pick and choose according to your budget!  

This includes two-for-one dishes at Chow on a Monday and 77 cent chicken wings at Rogue & Vagabond on a Wednesday!

Visit a Pōneke parklet after work 

One of the best parts of summer is having more sunshine hours available after work. Why not check out a parklet on your way home for a beveragino or meal, and make the most of daylight! 

• Mexico: 41 Dixon Street –  Celebrate the vibrant and fresh cuisine of Mexico 
• Eva Beva: 31-35 Dixon Street – Step into one of Wellington's coolest dive bars for a tipple or two 
• Vinyl Bar/Shady Lady: 66 Courtenay Place – Visit this retro nightspot in the heart of the CBD 
• The Champagneria: 8 Courtenay Place – After work drinks and fun in the sun at this colourful Courtenay parklet  
• Nolita: 203 Cuba Street – Plant-based Italian delights at this Cuba Street restaurant  
• Ernesto’s: 1 Grey Street – A fusion of classic American bistro, Cuban, Carribbean and regional Americas cuisine 
• Stuff Ltd: 10 Brandon Street – A spot for you to park up your bike or have a rest in the sunshine 
• The Tasting Room: 2 Courtenay Place – Head to the Tasting Room bar and restaurant for good times, great food and fantastic range of beer, wines and spirits 
• Pho Viet: 40 Dixon Street – Vietnamese house and street food made the traditional way 
• The Old Quarter: 39 Dixon Street – Fresh vietnamese fusion restaurant in the heart of the CBD. 

Check out Our Wellington and our social media channels for more articles in our Back to Work series.