WellingtonNZ

Everyone's favourite Advent Calendar is back for 2024. With 24 days of deals (and a few special surprises), it's the most Welly-ful way to count down to Christmas 🎁 Now in it's fifteenth year, the Wellington Advent Calendar is a fun and festive way to celebrate Wellington businesses, and help bring locals to the city during the summer months. The elves have been busy gathering deals from cafes, restaurants, shops, events, and activities. Come back every day to find treats and discounts for some of your favourite Wellington spots. Each day will also reveal a special illustration from local artist Bonnie Brown. https://lnkd.in/g3Zray5K

Entrepreneurs praise Wellington as an innovative city that's full of potential as a base for businesses. “There are lots of bright people in the capital,” says Jackson Hapeta, Leader of Business Growth and Innovation at WellingtonNZ. “There’s a drive to test things out, a love for seeing business change and innovate.” Interest and engagement in network opportunities thrive in the city. Wellington's startup hub Creative HQ works with more than 1,000 entrepreneurs each year and already has 370 alumnae companies. “We’ve got all the ingredients of a world-class city, we’ve got all the facilities, we just don’t have the size of bigger cities," Says Joe Slater, Creative HQ's GM of Startups. "It’s a perfect breeding ground to try new things, to get product and service feedback, and then scale."

The numbers are in – the World of WearableArt (WOW) Show had its most successful year yet in 2024 with more than $31 million of economic benefit to the city, and thousands of additional visitors. “WOW continues to contribute significant outcomes for Wellington," says Heidi Morton, Events and Experience General Manager at WellingtonNZ With WellingtonNZ and WOW's partnership extended for at least another five years, Wellingtonians can continue to be proud hosts of the event. Next year's event will coincide with 20 years of WOW in Wellington. Heidi Morton says extending the parternship with WOW “will be welcome news for the city’s retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors." This year the show, held over three weeks in September and October, attracted an audience of more than 63,000 people — an increase of several thousand on last year. About 30% of ticket buyers were new to the event. Image credit: Curves Ahead, Grace DuVal, United States https://lnkd.in/gBE45iyX

Wellington stands out as the backdrop of one of the highest-ranked shows by The Guardian. 'After the Party' follows the story of Penny, whose world implodes when she accuses her ex-husband Phil of a sex crime and nobody believes her. The provacative series was filmed all around Wellington – from its south coast beaches and bays to Mākara, Johnsonville, and Alicetown in Lower Hutt. Helen Bowden – a leading Australian producer with Lingo Pictures –brought the series to screen. Bowden was looking for a small city as a film location, surrounded by steep hills, that was a little wild with plenty of wildlife. https://lnkd.in/gATqUKdP

The Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre is on the move – just a short walk from its previous location at Michael Fowler Centre. The isite has opened on the ground floor of Tākina Wellington Exhibition and Convention Centre in Cable Street. The new isite, which is opposite Te Papa, will be more visible and accessible in an area that attracts significant numbers of visitors, including conference delegates and exhibition attendees. The new space has the same incredible team. Chat with Wellington’s friendly isite visitor team about making the most of your visit to Wellington. They’re local travel experts and can help book a range of sights, activities, transport, and tours throughout the region and beyond.

A recently named marine isopod – the 'Pentaceration forkandbrewer' – has put a Wellington brewery on the tips of marine biologists' tongues.    Local brewery Fork and Brewer was honoured with name inclusion for winning first place in a beer competition that was held during the 10th International Crustacean Congress, both of which were hosted in Wellington this year.    The isopod of the hour was found in the silty depths off New Zealand’s southern east coast. It is believed that this is the first time a scientific name has been inspired by a brewery.

Here’s a sweet feature on Iko Iko, one beloved family-owned and operated shop on Cuba Street. Mother and daughter co-owners, Thomasin and Rose Bollinger, have seen many changes since opening the store in 1997 and their earlier market stall days. From Iko Iko's bright exteriors and rainbow welcome sign to their ongoing curation of local artwork, greeting cards, and gifts, the store is an icon of the city. Visit any season and you'll find eye-catching window displays and a great variety of knick-knacks, kitsch, and Kiwiana. The team embraces the mentality of maximalism and “more is more,” making the store a great option for shoppers who are searching for the perfect gift. Generations have grown up, worked at and enjoyed the store. From tequila-flavoured lollipops to bead curtains and award-winning window displays, here are some of Iko Iko’s highlights and best sellers from over the decades.

From cutting-edge games to big-budget television series and blockbuster films, Wellington’s weightless exports are steadily on the rise. Already a UNESCO Creative City of Film, Wellington is a serious player for future projects and talent attraction in the digital creative industries. Some of the fastest-growing sectors in Wellington include gaming, visual effects, post-production, animation, digital sound mixing, intellectual property development and associated technologies. This is all highlighted in Screen Wellington's showreel titled Make It Here. “That kind of stuff really puts us on the map,” says Tanya Black, manager of Screen Wellington. “Our exponential growth and this [sort of] technology ... really can’t be matched.” Wellington's mark on the digital creative industry is made clear by accounts from studio heads out of Miramar, Kilbirnie, Lyall Bay and the region. “There is a culture of creativity, innovation and excellence in Wellington, as well of course, the stunning landscapes and wonderful lifestyle opportunities we have on our doorstep," says Wētā FX’s Chief Executive David Wright, "This has inspired some of the best creative and technical minds from Aotearoa and around the world to call the city home [...]"

As a UNESCO Creative City of Film, Wellington is a global hub for digital content and post-production. Screen Wellington’s showreel ‘Make it Here’ highlights the region’s vibrant animation, games, VFX, and creative technology community. Make it Here was created in collaboration with established and emerging screen companies. Showcasing the screen sector’s impressive diversity and scale, it reinforces the city’s status as a leader in digital content, post-production, and IP development. The showreel features the work of a variety of production companies from across the region. These include 37Degrees Studio, 808 Ltd., A44, Beyond Fun, Big Adventure, Dinosaur Polo Club, Floating Rock Studio, Fox & Co, Lost Cosmonauts, Mohawk Media, Niantic, Inc. Aotearoa NZ, PikPok, Rascal Kids, Resn, RiffRaff Games, Stormcloak Games, StoryBox, Wētā FX, Wētā Workshop Ltd, Wildboy Studios, and Wrestler. Read more about it in Variety: https://lnkd.in/gNS68MHn

Currently hosting production of the “Avatar” film series, New Zealand’s capital Wellington is making a renewed pitch as one of the best-equipped games, VFX and animation producing hubs in the world. It has unveiled a new showreel “Make It Here” ahead of a succession of location, production and festival-type events.