Welcome to Welliington and Taranaki - your one-stop family travel guide to New Zealand's capital city and the North Island's Southwest Coast.

Wellington - New Zealand’s capital has a population of around 160 thousand in the city and 425 thousand in the surrounding areas, giving the Wellington region the third largest population in New Zealand. Wellington was the first capital city in the world to see the new millennium and has more restaurants and bars per person even than New York!  Wellington is very easy to get around, with its centre only two kilometres in diameter, making it a great place to explore on foot.   The Kapiti Coast, formerly known as 'The Golden Coast' is just a short drive from the centre of Wellington and provides city dwellers with miles of unspoiled beaches, bird and nature sanctuaries and a relaxed weekend atmosphere.  The word 'Kapiti' is Maori and means boundary.   Kapiti island once marked the boundary between two Maori tribes' territories. 

Click here for family-friendly car hire

Taranaki - the region is named for the dominating geographical feature, Mount Taranaki, or Mount Egmont. It's the second-tallest peak in the North Island and the mountain and its surrounds form Egmont National Park. The local population is around 140,000 and nearly half live in the city of New Plymouth. Taranaki is the perfect base for families wishing to enjoy the NZ outdoors - fishing, camping and picnic areas abound in the National Park, while New Plymouth offers warm beaches, parks and local walks. Other activities include relaxing in mineral pools or exploring the local marine life by boat. Look out for local events, as New Plymouth hosts some of NZ's most popular art and music festivals.