New Zealand’s Capital City Is OVER

[@tamlynburleigh9267]

I have many happy memories of living in Wellington, but it was the people which made the city a great place to live, not so much the infrastructure, and there was a good arty feeling about the place.

[@avpr1574]

Green mayor and Labour govt have destroyed it.

[@karimtabrizi376]

Sounds my kind of place

[@salmonoven]

In some of the part of world these infrastructure are well build enough rather than some procrastinate local mayors that would save tax money in their own pocket and choosing their own stomach instead of build their own town to look way more better. Here best regards from me, the country north-west from yours, indonesia.

[@brucegporter1088]

Wellington is small and compact and it's easy to get around, good public transport. Great cafes and restaurants. I was born in Chch but Wellington is my adopted home town. I feel safe and secure and the vibe of the place is quite special...and despite the rumours we do have good weather quite often, and at least with the wind we don't have air pollution😊

[@paulosoria1279]

I lived in NZ over threes years and I visited Wellington for three days back in 2013, I loved my time there, the time I’ve visited there, it was so windy, I still remember how crazy windy was. The waterfront is indeed beautiful. By the way, the flag in the first part is Sri Lanka. Greetings from Lima Peru.

[@danny94041af]

interesante

[@popcorn3948]

i was like "what the Sri Lankan flag doin there???"

[@icebaby6714]

Wow, you are from Lima! Peru is not far from New Zealand.

[@boomchika9547]

"Weather is atrocious" whilst proceeding to walk around peak winter in a T-shirt! 😂

[@sgct89]

It's more than likely to be lined with genuine sheep wool so it's all good!

[@JamesmcCarthy777]

it all ways trash weather here

[@zolandia5262]

I've heard you can't beat it (on a good day), though

[@Honk2883]

im one of em

[@obesetuna3164]

It is in the mans blood lol. We British folk have plenty experience when it comes to shitty weather.

[@kidsperspectivefamilytrave9184]

Te Papa is one of the best museum's I have ever been to ... I highly recommend it if you are in Wellington!

[@robertmagillold]

I visited Wellington for the first time a few weeks ago. It was windy, rainy, cold, full of traffic jams (because of questionably designed roads), and I loved the city. People were friendly, beers were good, food was great, coffee was spectacular, waterfront was amazing, and stadium was excellent (football results not so much). We had a great evening at Thistle Inn chatting with locals and visitors alike. Got to get out of town and visit Martinborough as well as drove over to see Weta. Despite its faults, I miss Welly already. Keep sharing Curls-makes me remember the great time we had there!

[@LR-vy5yy]

I remember Wellington had a great vibe back in the early to mid 2000's back when the city hosted the Wellington 7's and Lord of the Rings premieres.

[@moaningpheromones]

Don't forget that good vibe sevens weekend door charge the club's didn't have the rest of the year. Nah - those 'fans' were just drunken morons.

[@multitablez7825]

man and the v8 super cars Wellington. That was such epic vibe. so many people. everyone was happy.

[@roskis6493]

Cool. Visited that museum back in 2019. Really great exhibitions. Greetings from Sweden

[@Julia20508]

I'd say Auckland City Central is finished. The City is no longer a bustling place since COVID-19 happened and it can feel quite seedy at times.

[@seanodwyer4322]

@@ Nga- iff ahh see another- battery push- bike/ scooter/ other in all off Auckland greater/ central city ahh going to praye 24/7 that God confuse's it with 2,000 B.C.- '''Sodom.'''

[@avpr1574]

Yep Green MP, Greens always destroy everything

[@adrianthomas6667]

As an Ozy I lived and worked in Wellington about the time of the Falklands War, At that time it was a beautifully spread out city with few high rise buildings. The Freiburg building (defence headquarters) had a sweeping lawn leading up to it & the offices had great views of the city. Now they built a high rise on that lawn and Freiburg sits in it's dark shadow. You could jog around the city in your lunch break and then go back to work. I cannot stand the unplanned mess & congestion they have made of it now.

[@juliaforsyth8332]

My then boyfriend worked at Defence HQ at that time and stationed at Fort Dorset. He was really concerned and hoping NZ wouldn't get involved with the Falklands.

[@seanrota3359]

Welliington is my home town, once upon a time I worked in Courtney Place as a kid, it was a thriving and vibrant area back in 70s but today it looks run down and derelict.

[@richardv9648]

It was viberant even in 2008 when I was there. Woke policy has killed it.

[@seanrota3359]

@@richardv9648 Yeah the fun police killed the place, woke mania killing many things

[@houseofblues9016]

​@@seanrota3359what do u guy mean by that can u be a bit more specific give dome examples maybe so i can understand

[@Persian-Immortal]

Courtney place was awesome during 2019 as well!

[@theking16060]

Lmao we are from Boston, USA and we did a road trip from Auckland to Wellington and when we went it was packed with people. There was a Jimmy Beam Homegrown event in March 2023 which brought tons of people from all over NZ. Weather was amazing

[@trevorparlane]

The reason the north end of Lambton Quay is shut on weekends is because it mainly caters to Wellington's public servants who are not at work during weekends. Also, the waterfront is my favorite part of Wellington too, especially in summer when it is vibrant

[@Northafrican2097]

Im from north africa ,been hoping to immigrate to NZ for 2 years now ,love the accent,the urbanism,the calm and the uniqueness of new zealand ❤

[@StephSancia]

@dirtdirtdirt ~ I was in Cape town 1973 .. about 50 light years ago :) but I do remember on a Sunday the only place you could get beer or alcohol was in a hotel so I'm really not sure what that was about but I thought Cape town was pretty neat pretty neat ! not sure what it's like these days. And has it happens in my opinion the South African accent is very close to a kiwi accent, I mean born and bred Kiwi accent which isn't me but there's a slight difference in pronunciation from my perspective. Or maybe I've just lived in too many countries LOL Happy days

[@Northafrican2097]

@@StephSancia you sound very interesting,with rich life experience ,that's great

[@malama29]

the city has had its run. Back before covid town was wonderful during the day even in winter. Now its like roadworks and vacant buildings

[@furqansuleman1353]

What do you think has changed after covid?

[@jasonjoslin]

​@@furqansuleman1353 Emergency housing on Courtney place and around the CBD + more people work from home than ever before.

[@ColetteNicoll]

Things are getting worse for every city in the developed South Pacific - since Covid. People with small to large independent businesses lost a lot of capital. The rising costs of fuel overseas means the end of cheap, or even consistent supply to our small populations. Sydney has the same population of the entire country but rising interest rates, energy costs & of course -freight- means even Post Offices are closing, so the premise that it's just remote workers is simplifying things. We're not going to "bounce back" from Covid. It's a slow falling Domino effect . Once coffee or flour is affected - everything will get real scary. In Noumea -even the City supermarket and Chinatown are closed over the weekend. The morning market is half the size. The majority of remaining stores only open Thursday - Saturday. Returning tourists have nothing to look at, so they'll drop off too

[@danielxbox28]

@@furqansuleman1353 Inflation and Business closures. No one spending money going out and drinking as much..

[@Lazydaisy646]

Its been great having the football crowds, it's felt like the old days with a good vibe .

[@lazbogi]

20yrs ago Wellington was at its peak. It is now a sad shadow of what it use to be. Same could be said about all of New Zealand.

[@jaspervanp2346]

but werent we KIND ? imposing a two tier society? Wrecking the country over a mild flu?

[@darrellm9915]

Yet New Zealand is still one of the most beautiful countries in the world -- attracting people from all over the globe. So the potential hasn't gone anywhere.

[@KanyeKetchup]

​@darrellm9915 it's a succession of meatheads in in charge that have killed it for the average joe

[@brucegporter1088]

Friends in San Francisco and LA say the same about their cities and California nothing like it was 50 yrs ago

[@StephSancia]

You could say that about England LOL My friends are write to me often say England has gone to the Dogs LOL I'd rather be in New Zealand than a tempestuous UK especially London I mean everywhere you go is standing room only I can go to any beach down here in Otago and be the only person on the beach on any particular day it's just amazing when you look at Europe and the med and the holiday makers are jam-packed like sardines in a tin I mean that's not living. It's also easy to run down New Zealand but we've got it made here in New Zealand absolutely luxury and the people who complain about this and that well you've only got to spend a bit of time in any tempestuous country and I'm pretty sure that you would be looking back to New Zealand with a fond yearning. The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

[@Carolevw]

One thing I love about Wellington is that you can walk around and you will see someone you now - just about always!

[@msgesus4518]

this is the reason I want to leave 🤣

[@gilliandrysdale5306]

I saw the museum when I was there 8 years ago it’s awesome! ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@UrbanTaxi99]

Courtney Place is the worst night out experience in the world. It’s the only place where they promote drinks and having a good time , then don’t let you have either and charge you a mortgage for it. So much potential, yet the law and the execution of how it’s applied in the bars is all wrong, and just sucks all the fun out and makes it benign. No wonder all the businesses struggle and go under.

[@thrusta100]

Perth is similar, especially Casino, stop telling kiwis to stop moving there! It ain't no better!!!..

[@RoryEwanTan-gv3jx]

Wellington is a giant retirement village stuffed with retired public servants. Been there in 2001. Its so different when I visited last .

[@ben9l351]

bullshit upon bullshit that really would make the biggest high rise in Wellington

[@danieleyre8913]

Spoken by some provincial oink with a massive inferiority complex towards Wellington but hasn’t really any clue about it.

[@SamUrtonDesign]

Reminds me of the San Francisco Bay Area, and a little bit of Portland as well (and, just like Wellington, those two places have lost much of their energy since covid via "WFH", leading to vacant office buildings and business closures in the downtown areas).

[@boyfauna19]

I was thinking wellington looked like the older parts of Seattle all around, where I have grown up here. The wind and rain just like being here in Seattle too for sure. I agree.

[@sthakshay18]

Oh, you won't believe how fantastic it is here! We've got the thrill of a scarce job market, rent that practically doubles as a luxury tax, the friendliest bunch of reserved folks you'll ever meet, and let's not forget the ever-surprising combo of windy chills and delayed services. What's not to love, right?

[@Mcfreddo]

Yes and that kills any nightlife off. I think businesses are doing it tough. Retail etc. One thing that local governments around the world keeps doing it seems, is to put bloody apartments in the entertainment districts and end up destroying them?

[@robdykes3659]

Post-modernist Marxist polices, diversity inclusiness and equality of outcome ha ha woke Wellington

[@robdykes3659]

The woke can only destroy , it can't build anything

[@teuilagracetualaulelei1609]

It’s a class war - only those who own a home can expect security and peace of mind, that’s sad.

[@honeylinus7139]

Pretty much the whole New Zealand

[@TheButlerNZ]

Wellington is shut on the weekend because you have to pay to park anywhere in the city centre... and not just pay... but pay the Hong Kong Millionaires Wilson Parking... So everyone leaves the city for nearby Lower Hutt or Porirua for shopping. Also Wellington is systematically removing all the carparks and replacing them with cycle lanes... which is great in fair weather.. if you don't have to take the kids to school, or drive a van, or truck or any vehicle needed to conduct business.. or want to arrive not dripping in sweat (and I'm a cyclist)... And certain streets they removed more than half the parks.. often leaving NO parking for shops like Takeaways that rely on people driving up ... and parking... And were a social society... but remove ALL the parks from one side of a road and half from the other (See Coutts St Rongotai) and you can no longer have visitors come to your house (as there is no parks for miles as all the airport fliers are taking what little free parks there are)... and all the little struggling business's with no off road parking suddenly not only have no staff parking, but no customer parking... (Lets see a cycle rock up to out shop with a 120kg piece of equipment to be fixed). And the roads are falling apart (because all the budget is gone putting in cycleways that often were completely unwanted by all, but somehow the council did a "Survey" that no one knows of anyone in the areas that participated... and the few that you can find.. were against it... yet the result is always.... 75% wanted "this"... And the sewer pipes are over 100 years old and falling apart (Yes this happened... Flowing raw sewerage in the middle of the city... Generally a Wellingtonian is laid back and friendly... so we just put up with huge potholes, water leaking from everywhere (There's a footpath in Island bay that has been running more than a burst garden hose of water from the middle, down the hill... that is now green and slippery from the 2 months it's been flowing... because they are too busy with road lines and another cycle lane (oh and they just put in the Rongotai cycle lane, loosing over half the car parks... when 500 meters (1-2 blocks) over, there was a cycle/pedestrian only lane running almost the full root of the new lane... And as a cyclist... the idiot that thought turning the cycle lane down a side road half way would "Make" cyclists like myself do more than the straight line till we need to turn... should see the West lane of Rongotai Rd cycleway that this year I have actually counted 2 cycles on it... East bound side.. sure... use it my self... West... Nope.. Just continue on Coutts or use the DEVOTED CYCLEWAY that was already there with community gardens and all... beautiful... Did I mention that I'm not so hot about cycleways even as a cyclist.. (Ok mainly on hills as my videos show... but guess how I get to the hills)... Then there's those road lines.... they keep changing.... and they don't remove the old lines... just paint them with tar... which #1 wears off... and #2... when it rains... (And we get our fair share of rain in the capital) look EXACTLY the same as the white lines... and at night... that means you drive into the middle or into a parked car because these false lines point you there... And in NZ, due to the sun angle and Tar... we get glare from the road surface (almost blinding)... and guess what... a white reflective line... and a black tar line... LOOK EXCATLY THE SAME when the sun is glaring off the tar around it... So... Yeah..... We'll cross the street to say hi to a complete stranger... and give you directions to anything anywhere... but maybe not so friendly if it turns out your a councillor... who Honestly... only joined the council for their own agenda... because face it... what SANE person would join a council for the money (just like politics)... You join to get something changed... and usually to suit you, not the majority...

[@je7647]

wilson parking is criminal lol...

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@je7647 haha... didn't expect anyone to make it throu that rant.. I went through Christchurch Xmas after the Sept 2011 Earthquake... People are trying to put theis shattered lives in some sort of order.. Lots of buildings had been raised to the ground and cleared... And Wilsons Parking was in every empty lot charging all the people struggling to survive when the Council/government should have said.. Mr Hon Kong Millionaires... You have enough money, get the flock out of CHCH, its free parking while people get back on their feet. But no... Council gets their rake off the top so they didn't give one letter between E & G.

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@je7647 Ha, you made it through that rant... I went to Christchurch the xmas after the September 2011 Earthquake and noted so many buildings had been raised to the ground and the sections cleared. While the people were struggling to get their lives together, Wilsons Parking turned every lot into a PAY PARKING lot... The council/Government should have said... F-Off Hong Kong Millionaires, Chch is a Free Parking zone while people pick up the pieces... But no... The council were getting their cut from the parking so who cares about a few hundred thousand people struggling to recover.

[@furball8967]

I’ve visited and lived in many cities the world over, but Wellington is probably the most underrated city on earth. It’s not too big, not too small, just right. Great feel about it, friendly people. The weather is shit most times, but when it turns it on, it turns it on! Love love Wellington!

[@davidcampbell3642]

The weather's crap most of the year round though.

[@HUAIREN666]

Returned back home to NZ 3 months ago after spending 5 years abroad. WHAT'S HAPPENED TO OUR COUNTRY ? We've just sold our house & are leaving for good. NEW ZEALAND IS OVER RATED & FAR TOO EXPENSIVE. THE LOCAL PEOPLE IN NZ LOOK SOOO SAD & DEFEATED. Pick somewhere you've always dreamed of going, sell up, pack up the family & just do it... BETTER THAN SPENDING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WONDERING. Bon Voyage.

[@LTLT900]

I've been away for 20 years. Won't go back until Jacinda Ardern is in prison and houses are affordable and wages are better.

[@հաղթող]

And if my dream is to go to NZ lol ?

[@kevinbarrett1362]

That`s because people can`t really go anywhere because of world events, Europe`s on edge with the little tyrant from russia, The middle east is on edge because of the israeli/Palestine war, The US has increasing tornado activity not to mention the hottest temperatures ever recorded and of course their stance on high powered weapons(Massacres a plenty), South america is full of cartels their murder rate is astronomical(Mexico the biggest worry), So peoples only option is the pacific islands or Australia.....Actually stay out off oz cause their rental, food, gang shootings have increased not to mention their stance on racism(Have a look at last year the majority voted not have the indigenous Aborigines(Traditional land owners) included in the into the "Australian" constitution.sO SO Sad really. And then we have little old New Zealand where f**k all! happens because that`s the way we like it, Chilled(Don`t know where you got your sad and defeated bisae from) but if you think "NZ" has any of the above then by all means, High tail it to the nearest warzone.

[@rodlytton765]

​@@հաղթողMaybe should consider a house swap

[@robert-zg8or]

What is the population? 100 people? The streets are empty.

[@rachellydiab]

You know what's funny, I went to the top of te papa the other day and looked over the city and was like 'this is the most beautiful place in the world'... but seeing it here, god it looks rubbish on camera hahaha

[@rustyone7299]

That was Absolutely Positively amazing

[@KristineBroad-dr8rc]

I don’t live New Zealand but Wellington is my home and I love the city and will forever it is a little gem

[@rosselliot8971]

If Curls is saying things are a little bleak in places you know it's bad, he being such a champion of ESG. Wellington is the San Francisco of the Southern Hemisphere. Homeless sleeping in doorways, addicts bothering workers, enforced pedestrian zones inconveniencing people. It won't stop anytime soon because Wellington is populated by bureaucrats who earn enough to retreat every day at 5pm to their houses above the fray leaving the taxpayers to endure the effects of local and central government policies. Just keep pronouncing Maori well and everything will be alright. Nice to have known you, Wellington. Good luck.

[@jame2433]

You're just describing any capital in the world with that though right. Not sure what that has to do with Wellington specifically

[@oluoto]

I don't see the problem with pedestrian zones

[@mortonwilson795]

This is exactly the story I'm getting from old friends, well, the ones who are still there . . .

[@shadowbanned15]

Ahh wellington where the weather and slips will take away your home then scumbag thieves will strip it bare while you are not allowed to enter.

[@TheWhiteGyrfalcon]

Probably because Wellz is so expensive for the average person, everyone is hiding at home or working their ass off, no time to chill anymore. Auckland is similar...but you missed the best time to be there circa 2000-2010 in my opinion and according to whanau in the 70s and 80s

[@Jordan-zd2tx]

Lived there from 2009-2012 at the time it was the most exciting place in NZ without a doubt. But after visiting this year after 10 years in australia i couldnt believe how much things had changed. So much closed down. No nightlife. So sad.

[@terencewise7349]

From Terence Wise in UK...........Judging by the weather anyone from England should feel at home in Wellington.

[@cheeseisdelicious111]

Gosh I worked in the city in 1995 and tried to avoid going down Lambton Quay during the day because it was so busy. It's sad to see less people there now. The world has changed.

[@johnosullivan-nq2wd]

Auckland's Queen St is like that now I heard, is it because people just stay home in front of their computer screens now?

[@AllIsWellaus]

Wellington is literally still not this quite all the time. He has, whether it was intended or not, toured about the city during its quietest moments of the day.

[@wandersonvfernandes7643]

Congratulations. I don't know nothing about Wellington, but when you show us the part of the Harbor for me was so amazing. In the next year i'll Go to NZ and i'll pass for Wellington. My english isn't not good but i love your way of speak 👍

[@mufassilislam]

Good video but you need to turn your camera a bit slower mate . It made me dizzy

[@KylieMackLA]

Wellingtonian who's lived in LA 28yrs here - the best things about Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara are not commerce-based, the sea, the hills, the clean air, and the weather always reminding us who is really in charge. But the thing that really makes Wellington great is the people; the nods you get from strangers, the decades-deep immigrant communities who've helped shape the city, and the friendships you'll find if you slow down and visit a coffee shop, bar, sports club, surf club, marae, or even one of the well established Pacific Island churches around the city. Community runs deep in Wgtn and as long as you're not a d**k, you're welcome :)

[@mistawolfe8541]

Shaped the city?... Yes, negatively... We do not need any more economic migrants fleeing their nations, increasing labour supply and driving prices up

[@robdykes3659]

Another delusional woke lefty

[@PV1230]

that reads like a tourism pamphlet.

[@je7647]

@@PV1230 shes speaking like it needs to be nefd but its got to be upgraded

[@louisaklimentos7583]

Great architecture in Wellington and the streets look so clean . I like it ! Thank you for this lovely video .

[@lioneldemun6033]

Fun fact : at 41° 17' latitude Wellington is at a similar latitude ( Antipodes) as these cities in the Northern Hemisphere : Rome, Barcelona, Istanbul, Porto (PT) . In the US, Martha's Vineyard island

[@MealsBeast]

It's worth mentioning the embassy theatre, if your a film buff and Peter Jackson fan, there is so much rich film tours for LOTR there, but the embassy is something really special. I was there for the hobbit desolation of smaug premiere and it was brilliant. Also went to weta studio and Peter Jackson's studio. It was so epic. I know it's a bit cliche but it really adds value to wellington! Also worth mentioning te ahumairangi and mount Victoria. Wellington is just a gorgeous place

[@deangarden3816]

I went there and watched Bad Taste when it was first released

[@gavinlew8273]

What do you mean by "things are a little bleak in places"? NZ (Wellington) is just beautiful compared with most cities in Asia. Maybe not as crowded which is a good thing in my book.

[@xinyiquan666]

most cities? no compared to china

[@TeeJayAwrekaOA]

You have awesome pronunciation of maori words man, im glad you are attentive to pronunciation

[@kristinahebdon686]

We travelled around NZ for 2 weeks in July/August this year. We didn’t get to Wellington but looks like we didn’t miss much! Our favourite city was Christchurch 😍

[@findmeintime]

Wellingon was one of my favourite places to live. Went to Vic uni and worked at a pub, had the time of my life.

[@cheeseboard3704]

In the five years I've lived in Wellington, it has definitely changed from being open and friendly to closed and judgy. Not my kinda place anymore, I can't wait to explore the other cool cities we have in this country. Might go to Tauranga 😎😆 or home to New Plymouth

[@MeadowDay]

Australia changed in the same time period, just lost that safe natural laid back feel

[@mark-w3w5p]

As a life long Aucklander of 67 years. Even I don't love the place anymore. People really are on edge in a non Kiwi way. I'm planning my escape and leaving it to the new comers who don't now the old Auckland. Sadly gone forever.

[@jondnz]

0:55. Slight correction. The Beehive isn't where the government sits, it's just the offices and function halls. The government sits in parliament which is that grey building in the centre. The creamy yellowish building on the end I believe was the original parliament. I think it holds archives now but someone might correct me on that

[@rodolfoerdogan4983]

Thanks for bothering to make that correction, and with insight. It was done very respectfully. How rare these days

[@shauntempley9757]

The Beehive is actually where the government works once elected. All ministers offices are in there. It is also where cabinet meets and all official government press conferences are held. Parliament meets in the grey building. There, all members of the House meet to debate matters, and where the press often meet MPs. The creamy yellowish building is indeed where the government archives are, but also a library that is only for Parliament's use. Public is not allowed in that building, like they are in the other two.

[@Mcfreddo]

And they hate the beehive as it's horrible to work in- round corridors n all. Keith Holysmoke was a tightarsed moron in that 😢marble parliament is only 1/2 as it was meant to be and it was planned way back to have it mirrored in an adjacent build, but deemed too expensive and so the "bee hive" was a the new decision. 🤮. Just like the Auckland harbour bridge. That to was to be greater and to have rail across it, just like the Sydney Harbour Bridge. What a boon that would have been! People in control with no vision.

[@davidthorne7712]

The other thing to note is that the public can go on “free” guided tours through parts of all those three buildings at almost anytime of the year. When the house is not sitting you can even enter the main floor of the debating chamber.

[@shauntempley9757]

I knew of the two tours for the Beehive, and the grey building. When I went there, the archives was totally forbidden to tours.@@davidthorne7712

[@BrayZap]

Not sure if i would want to live there but would definitely want to visit it a few times, it seems beautiful and a big change in pace from the U.S.

[@ponzitizen]

Nation of debt slaves don't have time to walk around and bring the city to life...

[@KanyeKetchup]

That is the best analogy of the current situation of Nz

[@LTLT900]

100% accurate.

[@mikeymofonz]

Did you see the mayor of Wellington stumble out of one of those bars 😂

[@seanodwyer4322]

mike- ahh was there in 2001 gearing upp for 9/11 .- not sure who the mayor was in 2001.- ?????? Had zero constipation in Wellington City as ahh was useing the High Power Public toilets on Courtney Place/ Street.

[@jondnz]

9:46 "for all it's faults" LOL was that a pun on the fact that it's (supposedly) New Zealand's most earthquake prone city

[@futureofmoney3527]

Cracking pun.

[@viktak]

I moved from wellington where I had grown up in, to Christchurch 5 years ago and I can’t believe the streets are so empty in wgtn at lunchtime on a week day! Maybe covid did this and people are working from home? I worked in a building on Willis street and no matter what the weather was Lambton quay was packed and busy. It looks like a ghost town!

[@brucegporter1088]

I was born in Chch and I have lived in Wellington since 1985 and went back to ChCh for mum’s funeral two years ago and I was depressed. Many buildings have gone, not just because of the earthquakes but by property developers long before the quakes. And funny you should say about Lambton Quay being empty, so was Colombo st and Moorhouse Ave and Cathedral Square at midday on a beautiful hot January day…

[@viktak]

@@brucegporter1088 I was shocked when I first moved here and thought the big empty spaces were nice recreational areas as people were walking their dogs etc until it was pointed out that there were lampposts and these areas were once suburbs but got red zoned after the earthquake and yet today developers are building hundreds of ugly housing units on these “red zone” areas selling them as central city lifestyle housing. I had seen old Christchurch years ago got my certificate for going up the hundreds of steps of the cathedral 😀so much character and history. Sorry for your loss and hope you find your light again. I lost my dad recently and try to focus on the good things otherwise the dark enters, it’s a hard journey.

[@mikebarker6979]

Lot's of civil servants WFH now plus businesses struggling and leaving because of ridiculous rents and less foot traffic. The city is becoming a ghost town like you say.

[@brucegporter1088]

@@viktak thankyou for those kind words, it'll be two years next January since mum's passing but I've come to terms with it. Dad passed back in 2009 and his ashes are in mum's casket so that's nice to be together. They are buried in a country cemetery in Lincoln south of Christchurch city.

[@BigJFindAWay]

When I was in Wellington some 28 years ago I found the place beautiful but strangely depressing. Maybe the crap weather. I saw no trolley buses in your video. Do they still have them? I found they gave the place a lot of character.

[@free456...]

they took cables down for trolley buses about 5 years ago... at same time they sold buses routes to a private company totally stuffed up Wellingtons bus system...

[@BigJFindAWay]

The rest of the world is putting in things like this in their cities. That’s progress. Why has Wellington regressed? What is wrong with that city and its people? When I was in Wellington I found the architecture nice but the horrible weather ruined it. It doesn’t have a nice sea front and I didn’t see many nice shops or decent shopping precincts or social gathering spots. There was no part of the city I would be as desirable to live in even though I sadly found it preferable to Auckland. The trolley buses were one of the city’s few redeeming features.

[@free456...]

It was greed, Wellington Regional Council got private companies to bid for the right to run bus routes...the difference in bid prices between companies was the drivers wages, bus companies tried to cut over time pay rates for drivers... they introduced double decker busses to make up for a reduced bus services, Scrapped long established bus routes, which often means have to take several buses to make a trip when in the past you could catch one bus. Also chronic bus driver shortage so multiple bus services are cancelled daily@@BigJFindAWay

[@moaningpheromones]

calm down - they only served a small number of shitty routes and weren't found anywhere outside central city - not the Hutt, or north of the railway station. suck on the truth mate - yeehaaa@@BigJFindAWay

[@strugs]

Thank you for sharing! I’m grew up in Wellington and love it dearly. I’ve been away for almost a year now, and can’t wait to return. There is ALWAYS something happening, and easy enough to get out of town.

[@robdykes3659]

Just another woke delusional lefty

[@musselchee9560]

Wellington's best kept secret: a constant flow of breathable fresh air.

[@robdykes3659]

Another delusional woke lefty

[@donpeat7707]

Accurate!

[@benorsman9654]

The weather can be miserable. What other cities in NZ have more entertainment..Maybe Invercargill or Whangārei?

[@michaelgarlickmovies]

Born and bred greater Wellingtonian (Hutt Valley). Wellington has lost its mojo since the days of Mayor Blumsky, the Wellington Street Motor Races, and the vibe around LOTR. Now its getting drab and depressing and the City Council is doing its best to extinguish the private sector. Its Civil Servant central, thousands in well paying taxpayer funded jobs which is why the cafes and Restaurants do well. It certainly isn't a town for entrepreneurs, few stay, driven out by the malaise to Auckland and Australia and further afield. Those with get up and go, get up and go from Wellington. That said its setting on the harbour with the hills, sea, snow capped Tararuas in winter and the waterfront is spectacular. But its potential is wasted. .

[@bunning63]

Big question mark on the future of Wellington or NZ overall as what it will look like in a few years. Kind of remember Wellington as much busier. These days so many people are talking of moving going over the ditch, it's a country in transition. Learnt this morning our 'leaders' have signed up with Blackrock, yeah brilliant...

[@lindascott6902]

Same issues over the ditch... or even worse. It’s a pity NZers think the grass is greener in Australia - it’s not! People are struggling with inflation, the wages growth is much less than in NZ, there’s a lot of homelessness (due to high cost and lack of housing). The racism is still terrible, and the violence worse than in NZ. And Australians aren’t the mellow, easy-going, good-natured lot they make out to be; Kiwis are more pleasant!

[@bunning63]

@@lindascott6902 My sister in law is planning the move and thinks it's all milk&honey followed by cream buns. There doesn't seem any rational thinking in the decision. Off course at this point you can't debate pros&cons as the rose coloured spectacles are on. Suppose for many the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I guess my concern is it's just a kneejerk reaction with little thought except the perceived positives.

[@robdykes3659]

I,m off to Scotland can buy a 2 bedroom home for 110,000 New Zealand dollars, and it,s only 2 hours to fly to Copenhagen, 40 minutes to Paris,4 hours to Vienna,that will do me nicely f..... New Zealand, off to live my "doc Martin" lifestyle!!!

[@robdykes3659]

As we text 37000 passport,s are been processed

[@bunning63]

@@robdykes3659!

[@Andrew_kiwi_AF]

Even thou it’s lunch time and a week day lampton quay used to be a lot busier even at 8pm on a Monday night then what you just showed. Wellington city I feel used to hum more then Auckland during the week days.

[@MrSilverfish12]

I tried to like Wellington, I really did. But the continued growth in homelessness in the city and crazy rent prices is what caused me to leave. I really wanted to stay in the city as that is where I prefer to be as a tech professional. Unless you live out far and can catch the train in on very cold and wet mornings this place is only meant for upper middleclass.

[@danieleyre8913]

Wellington used to be a rocking vibrant little city 25-35 years ago. It had something for everyone and great nightlife on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night that offered something for everyone: Pubs, nightclubs, dance clubs, cinemas, or the quieter RSA & working men’s club, etc. It had a great social scene for young and middle aged adults, the elderly and teenagers. It was so easy to meet new people. But it started to die out around the turn of the new century a bit. Then it really went down the big in 2008 when the National government came in and cut back the public sector. With the cost of living crisis; it just hasn’t managed to come back. But I live in hope that one day it will be back. The strength of the basic layout remains.

[@kakisot3674]

I've been there for 10 days last 2019! ❤ I miss the vibe of Wellington !

[@nicholasratapu8500]

Wellington today is no where near what it use to be in the early 2000s the markets back in the days were alot more cultural and bigger variety too, shops were alot more creative, people had a Sence of humour and didn't take things seriously and knew when someone was taking the piss 😂 the music scene had alot more genres and outlets, performing arts were all over wellington.wellyz needs a major make over, looking pretty rugged in 2023. That's my 1$ and 2cents now I watch the video 😂

[@MeadowDay]

This is true of most places now..everything drastically different….and not in a good way

[@ericshang7744]

Don’t count on it when running by the greens. Courtney place is a disgrace nowadays, half of the buildings not even open.

[@tundeowoola6417]

No homeless zombies pitching tents/sleeping on sidewalks? No encampments and people living in RVs? Wellington sounds like paradise!

[@sambakker9077]

It’s not necessarily dead but that if you lived there over the last 15 years it’s clearly dying. Cuba street used to be a good place to hangout. Places were open late. Cafes and restaurants now close at 3pm. The place is expensive. The council made it unaffordable to drive into town and park. Buildings and businesses have closed down. Many empty places all throughout town. Wellingtons council has raised rates making it difficult to own properties there. Then they’ve squandered the money. They’ve built bike lanes barely anyone uses, setup a bunch of lights we don’t need and lowered the speed limit on roads to 30 almost everywhere in the Center. As a young family we lived in wellington for years and then decided to leave. Maybe coming 3 years ago you’ll have a different experience to us. On the other hand. Lower hutt and Petone have become more built up. They are better places now to live. They have malls, affordablish parking and more to do than wellington.

[@TheKL105]

Yep Poneke Wellington..Since they got rid of the trolley buses it hasn't been the same Seriously love Wellington left in the 80s to Aus purely because we were a bunch of friends that decided to go to Aus because a couple of mates went there and came back and said it was great different especially the fact we were young and never been anywhere else and we were sought of doing the same things in Wellington which had limited entertainment in those days like your normal stuff picture theatres pubs very few clubs restaurant etc ..things have obviously changed and improved moving with the times but everytime i go back home to Wellington over the years for a holiday i want to stay but i can't because ive made a life in Australia with my Aussie wife and son which is not a bad thing but Wellington is always home to me .. Whatever negatives thats happened in Wellington over the years is sad but i would still live there so much good memories and ive just come back visiting family and holidying after 4yrs of covid and other stuff and its still a beautiful city to me and yes everytime i go back its basically still the same Curls and yes still not much happening especially if the weather is shit ! haha nevermind that's Wellington anyway all the best on your travels take care 👍

[@reg074]

Come back and do this video again during Summer, there's always a lot more happening and a lot more people around and the vibe of the whole city is a lot different

[@lesterbangs3417]

I'm new here but love your channel. I do think for context it's important to say what time it is and which day of the week you're filming, especially when filming in urban areas: Sunday mornings are never going to look like Saturday afternoons. Keep up the great work !

[@yairmetargem277]

YES

[@joedonnison1295]

For 2 days the sun shines

[@Lazydaisy646]

​@@yairmetargem277we have actually had a very pleasant autumn compared to the rest of the country

[@robkent3567]

Why do shops close on the weekends? Seems incredibly odd.

[@richardv9648]

They removed access by car, reduced parking spaces. And the public transport has reduced servise policy on weekends. Meaning low number of people visitng the CBD. Now imagine being a shop owner having to pay $22.5 an hour to someone to keep the shop open. Doesnt make much sense now does it?

[@KMChina]

@@richardv9648 And your primary customer base is Govt Bureaucrats, most of whom don't live in the city and won't visit there during weekends.

[@dimereseininrobbyravouvou2855]

Thanks to you and people like you total respect and God bless always English man Curly living in New Zealand and other British Colonies very great educational videos all the time

[@kellywalker4494]

Lived in Auckland for a while. Not much ever seems to happen, not much industry yet the price of property is horrendous. Weird.

[@gaius_enceladus]

This video was apparently posted "3 months ago" which (as I write this) was August 2023. In other words, *winter* - so it's not surprising that Wellington looked "sad" at that time of year. From January to March is the best time of year here.

[@gtone339]

Good ol Windy Welly

[@probld]

2:13 - at the weekends, everything is closed! I remember visiting some years ago on a Saturday, counting 67 people on the main street. Having said that, I remember the bars and restaurants in the marina being busy, great service and food...

[@gerardmackay8909]

I visited back in 1995 (the country not Wellington) and was captivated. It was March and summer still lingered. Flew from a rain drenched Sydney to clear blue skies in Christchurch. Loved Queenstown, Nelson, Abel Tasman, Tekapo, Rotorua, Tauranga and the Coromandel Peninsular. Met the loveliest people and the sun shone for almost the entire 3 weeks. My sister went last year and said it was still beautiful but a lot of locals were really fed up with the cost of living crisis and the lack of affordable housing (exactly how people feel here in the UK). Fly 13000 miles to find the same problems you left behind.

[@jun8569]

Nah NZ is now F***d mate.

[@hamishglenn4900]

As Wellington resident since 2019, I started feeling the morosity late last year. Sadly, the city is held hostage by landlords making the place unaffordable to purchase property in or to rent in anything other than a flatshare. Young people are reassessing, ditching the city or just not considering the city as a viable option in the first place. I wouldn't say apocalypse but the city is going through a major correction. The positive side is that house prices are going to tank HARD over the next couple of years.

[@yairmetargem277]

You got out in the wrong day . with a little sun , nothing beats Wellington . Thank you anyway . Life is good .

[@balung]

Yeah, they all can be found in Brisbane Australia, mate.

[@robertmiller2173]

I have lived there twice once in the mid 1982 to 1986 and then again in 2020 to 2021 and what was striking about it is how horrible the climate is. It is worse than Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland.....all places I have lived in!

[@moaningpheromones]

Whole country has shitty wind and weather. At least in Wallytown you don't freeze or hit 30.

[@robertmiller2173]

You are amptly named! Ha ha, must have a sense of humor there somewhere, good on you! Australia is too hot too dry, and nasty snakes, crocs etc but many good people! People can makes a horrible place great or a great place horrible! @@moaningpheromones

[@k.vn.k]

I was there in Summer, last Jan. It was also raining for a while then sun finally appeared. It’s not very hot in summer. I love it, already miss it. It’s a lovely city though I am bias and will always love Sydney where I live. Will travel there again soon though.

[@deniseg-hill1730]

I liked Wellington if you go to the top of the town the views are fabulous. There was an organic store near to the hotel we stayed in. The musuem was really good. The weather so much like the UK. Nice property is expensive. I noticed the lack of motorways.

[@Michael-lg4wz]

Wellington peaked overall around 2010, its in slight decline now. EQ strengthening really helped kill the CBD.Spend $50 on a pint and a burger, avoid the yelling bums, avoid the beggars outside each ATM and mini supermarket. I prefer flying burrito bros or hot like a mexican(willis lane) for lunch over Rosies cantina. The summer events like newtown festival and cupa dupa are great. Saturday has a small traffic jam from the basin to to terrace tunnel, do not reccomend. The PT is highly dysfunctional. If you want to say go from say Upper hutt to Queensgate ,then to city and go to Lyall bay to The Bontanist,and stop in at newtown for 45min it will take 7.5hrs return total. Driving would be 4hr total. Still, a good city.

[@drfrequency]

1:36 the flag in the middle is the Flag of Sri Lanka

[@gsjame]

Worked in Wellington a few years back, before COVID. Didn’t get to see much, flight out delayed due to wind. Would love to go back for another look, hopefully one day.

[@jonathanbiwit1729]

In my 8 years of work in Wellington, I escape the first month of winter every year heading for vacation back home in the tropical Philippines. I dreaded the winter season so a month long basking under the sun in my tropical country at least shortened my bearing the wintry cold Wellington weather to just two months. Over all, I still love windy Welly because it doesn't have snowfall during winter (except in 2011 when Welly was blanketed with snow).

[@richardcaldwell9160]

Thoroughly enjoyable from a Wellingtonian - Thank you

[@mohammedbinladen4619]

I'm from Christchurch and have never been to Wellington, i had considered visiting one day but now i don't think I'll bother unless i have to. Looks terribly depressing and boring.

[@moaningpheromones]

yeah, why travel to it when you live in it?

[@danieleyre8913]

You stay in that backward giant country town, Cantab’. It sounds like you’ll never be happy even where you are.

[@mohammedbinladen4619]

@@danieleyre8913 Don't get upset little buddy,

[@danieleyre8913]

@@mohammedbinladen4619 Don’t worry I never can be by some lame cantab. Any boy racers join down your street tonight?

[@mohammedbinladen4619]

@@danieleyre8913 Boy racers don't venture down my street, they are too afraid. Why do you hate girls?

[@MrAlexanderLang]

Jesus my village at the back end of nowhere has more people moving on the streets than a capital of New Zealand.

[@viiperbiite]

I want to move and work in Welly so bad once I finish my nursing degree. Visited again this weekend. Im so tired of Hawke's Bay and Palmy bs.

[@wellingtonian2009]

I haven't lived in Wellington since the early 2000's. The CBD looks pretty quiet compared to how I remember it.

[@Hastenforthedawm]

That's how I felt when I went on holiday in Wellington late last year. I really dont miss it.

[@jumpingjohnflash]

The 'Beehive' is the executive offices for the government ministers and the PM, - the actual parliament building is the one in the middle. The building on the right is the parliamentary library.

[@chris101gray3]

Lived there most of my life and I could not disagree more with your overall views on Wellington. The place is a s*** hole, as are all the suburbs and surrounding towns including the Hutt Valley. Moved away 15 years ago and never looked back or returned since.

[@heronimousbrapson863]

If I had to guess, I'd say the mystery flag is that of Sri Lanka.

[@GaryDineenBLUECITY]

Cheers dude I am considering moving , still the research stage tho and tips would be cool .

[@thirstyghost3271]

I've lived in wellington for 3 years now, originally from Nelson and i can honestly say it's such a crap place to live here. Weather is almost always bad, the city is dirty and full of homeless and it is overpriced in every way imaginable and..... yes "bleak". The only thing i like about this city are the walking tracks around the fringe and even then compared to down south they are pretty boring in comparison.

[@gissyb1]

If your bored in Wellington then thst says,alot about you tbh

[@thirstyghost3271]

​@gissyb1 no it doesn't you're just coping

[@eddylee3826]

The appearance of New Zealand may be characterized by a sense of desolation and sorrow. The atmosphere is notably devoid of activity and lacking in vibrancy. Personally, I would not have any inclination to visit such a country which I find to be quite unpleasant.

[@muhammadsaeed4159]

Wellington is beautiful city of New Zealand and New Zealand is a beautiful country in the world very nice video I like it please keep it up.

[@davidlawton7845]

I’ve travelled through Wellington on three separate occasions to catch the inter-islander ferry to the South Island and it’s rained heavily on each occasion…it’s an expensive place with bad weather most of the year….

[@RotoruaBOP]

The weather in bay of plenty compared to here is way better You can get good sunny days here, and I don't mind rain, I'll still go about my business, but down here.. it's basically 99.99% of the time on the verge of raining with high winds. You can obviously adapt to it, but I prefer nice sunny days in Bay of plenty cruising through nature listening to our birds, everything! All while jamming some bob Marley, it's a different experience. And if you haven't gone out adventuring our local nature, I don't mean the park down the road across the dairy either, get out in the nga, whanau, connect yourself with nature regularly 😁 it's a blessing we're fortunate to have, just don't appreciate it too late.

[@JM19649]

Lived there in 07 and spent many a long and happy evening on Courtney place.. From what ive heard the places i remember are all gone now😢, boogywonderland, electric avenue and mollys.. protect the welsh bar at all costs

[@msgesus4518]

Wellington is not an attractive city for anyone who didn't get in and ride the property wave. This is true for most of New Zealand but especially the capital. The class divide is growing, it's a miserable future for anyone trying to get ahead. People are, and will move abroad, small businesses will fail. Local music scene is dead.

[@moaningpheromones]

that's ok, they will fill it up with endless cheap labour filipinos