Back to work: Your Wellington 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 city centre! 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.

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 Wellington City Libraries membership.

Flamingo 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 scooters and ebikes available from Flamingo are a great way to give biking or scooting a go while you’re on the go!

Try out one of the walking and biking 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 – there's the Kilbirnie connections, the Newtown to city, or Botanic Garden ki Paekākā to city routes, and many more. 

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. Check out this helpful webpage on where to shop in Wellington on WellingtonNZ.

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 from WellingtonNZ.

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!  

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. 

Two/Fifty Seven 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. 

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! Read more in this Our Wellington story.