Wellywood And Other Wellington Wonders
For a movie lover like me, the suburb of Miramar was on my list of must-visit places in Wellington, New Zealand. I was really excited to visit Weta Cave which is a showcase of props and collectibles from films like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and District 9. I think Sharlto Copley was fantastic as Wikus Van De Merwe, don’t you? Proud of South African born talent!
Wellington is the hub of the film industry in New Zealand, which is why it is affectionately known as Wellywood, even boasting a big white-lettered sign on the hill to make it ‘official’. I secretly kept my eyes peeled for celebrities as I was told they often stay in Miramar while filming when they need to have intricate costumes or armour fitted.
Entry to Weta Cave is free, but they also offer a paid Workshop Tour during which you learn about the artistry and creativity behind 20 years of award winning filmmaking on the Miramar Peninsula. I will definitely go on the tour next time I am there.
Around the corner from Weta Cave is a café called The Larder which makes the most incredible sandwiches. The smell of freshly baked bread wafts down the street to summon you for a meal. You can only but obey. They change their menu to use seasonal produce from local farmers which is something else I loved about it aside from the food.
Traipsing around in the dark, armed with a torch, searching for kiwis is something I will always remember with a big grin on my face. A visit to Zealandia is an absolute must if you love nature and the outdoors. It is the first facility fully-dedicated to telling New Zealand’s unique conservation story.
I learnt that in proportion to its body size, the female kiwi lays a bigger egg than almost any other bird – the egg takes up about 20% of the mother’s body! All I can say is OUCH! I also discovered that you should use a torch with red light to view nocturnal animals as it does not disturb or scare them away. I am proud to say we found three of the resident kiwis that night and I was able to watch them forage for food for a fair amount of time before they scurried off into the bushes. They looked so cute that I wanted to grab one and take it home with me!
Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand will keep you busy for hours as you explore the five main areas: Art, History, Pacific, Māori, and Natural Environment. I didn’t have enough time to see everything, but there was so much to learn and discover about the country. Adults and children alike would enjoy a day at Te Papa. They always have new events and exhibitions on offer and entry is free.
