Wellington
Three friends leaving Prefab cafe.

Your guide to spring in Wellington

Spring in Wellington is a bit like the city itself — lively, unpredictable, and full of surprises. As the days grow longer and the city bursts into bloom, you’ll find pockets of sunshine, crisp sea breezes, and the occasional gust. Pack sunglasses and a raincoat and get ready to shake off the winter chill.

An adult and child walk alongside a fountain at the Wellington Botanic Gardens ki Paekākā. Pink and red roses surround them.

Lady Norwood Rose Garden at Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā.

After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, City Gallery Te Whare Toi is moving back home to its newly renovated and strengthened building in Te Ngakau Civic Square. To celebrate, it’s mounting an explosive exhibition of one of the 21st century’s most significant artists — Cornelia Parker. Her contemporary sculpture and installation works can be seen from 10 October to 7 March 2027.  

Bursting into life on the other side of town is the Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā. It hosts an incredible range of beautiful botanical plant species from around the world. There are also large collections of Aotearoa’s own unique flora and a top-notch playground. 

Whether day or night, the capital has a great selection of alfresco wining and dining options. Glover Park, between Ghuznee and Garrett Streets, is a fantastic inner-city suntrap. Popular dog-friendly bar Rogue & Vagabond opens onto the park and provides beanbags for a relaxed vibe. Live music plays most weekends, so it’s a great spot. Around the corner, laidback rooftop bar Ascot is open to the sky. Its high walls shelter you from the weather. If you’re looking for restaurants by the seaside, Foxglove blends 1930s glamour with West Hollywood lounge style. It offers sweeping harbour views, open fireplaces, and one of the largest living green walls in the country.  

Keep those hospitality options in mind when you book tickets for the Wellington Jazz Festival running from 14 to 18 October. Pair fine dining with fine music as the city swings to international and local jazz acts. International headliners include Mercury Prize-winner Benjamin Clementine and the Joey Alexander Trio. Other artists include Rebirth Brass Band from New Orleans, Zoe Moon, and 2026 Wellington Jazz Festival commissioned artist Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa. 

A trumpet player performs in a jazz ensemble.
A cricket player swings a bat during a match, with stadium seating and spectators visible in the background.
A model poses with raised arms, wearing a dress and sunglasses made of glowsticks.

Spring also brings the World of WearableArt (WOW) Show: GLO! WOW is an internationally acclaimed annual event that features an electrifying combination of live music, circus, dance, and wearable art. At the heart of WOW is a world’s premier wearable art competition. Every garment on stage is a finalist. This year, WOW's inspiration is GLO! Expect the imagination to run riot across six wearable art sections of pure, unfiltered, high-voltage entertainment. 

The New Zealand Cricket Home International Season also begins in spring. There are six opportunities to see the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS play in Wellington. From October to January, you can see them in action against India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Both Cello Basin Reserve and Hnry Stadium share hosting duties. 

Visitors on a guided tour stand in the entrance hall of New Zealand Parliament in Wellington, with a sweeping staircase and marble floor behind them.

Go behind the scenes at the Beehive and Parliament House to understand more about New Zealand’s history.

For anyone curious to explore the home of democracy in Aotearoa, New Zealand Parliament is a short walk from Hnry Stadium. A variety of guided tours are available seven days a week and offer a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of New Zealand’s political system. 

Whether you’re chasing sunshine, culture, or a great sunset cocktail, spring in Wellington delivers — unpredictably, unapologetically, and with style.

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Two people sit and enjoy iced coffees and a dessert on the beach-side patio at Maranui café in Lyall Bay, Wellington.

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A Zealandia staff member leads a group of four friends on a walking tour in the forest.

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Two people are standing on Kumutoto Wharf near Lambton Quay on a sunny day. The water behind them is green and the sky is blue.

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Two people sit in the grass with their bicycles lying nearby at Mount Victoria lookout in Wellington, New Zealand with a view of the city centre, the bay and rolling hills in the distance.

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An adult and child walk alongside a fountain at the Wellington Botanic Gardens ki Paekākā. Pink and red roses surround them.

Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā

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People seated at a bar, holding drinks and talking with a bartender, with records displayed on the wall behind.

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An adult and child walk alongside a fountain at the Wellington Botanic Gardens ki Paekākā. Pink and red roses surround them.

Put a spring in your step on these Wellington trails

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