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Wellington Community services
As the capital city, Wellington is used to welcoming people from all over the world. There are all sorts of community organisations and services available in the region.
Local Government
Wellington councils
The greater Wellington region occupies the southern end of the North Island. It includes the cities of Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua and Upper Hutt. It extends north on the west coast to take in the Kapiti Coast District, and on the eastern side of the Rimutaka range it includes three largely rural districts containing most of Wairarapa, covering the towns of Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Featherston and Martinborough
South Wairarapa District Council
Public/Government services
Tax department
You can contact Inland Revenue (IR) online, by phone or in person at the several offices across the region. For a personal appointment contact IR first by phone.
Everyone moving to New Zealand permanently will need a tax number, called an IRD number. This is a 8-9 digit code that is unique to you. Find out more on the IR website.
Contact details | Inland Revenue
NZ Post
Use the following link to find your nearest PostShop or Kiwibank. You can also find other information about postal services here.
Family services
Use this directory to locate and contact support in the Wellington region for services relating to addiction, basic needs, disaster recovery, education and training, employment, ethnic services, family violence, health, mentors, legal and civil services, mental health, parenting and caregiving, special needs and disability, youth services and ISO capability.
Family Services greater Wellington | Family Services directory
OUTLine NZ
OUTLineNZ is a free, nationwide specialist helpline and counselling service offering support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) people and people who are questioning their gender identity/sexual orientation. It is staffed by trained volunteers, and qualified counsellors also offer affordable face to face counselling at OUTLineNZ’s Auckland office or via skype.
Phone for free 0800 688 5463
Community networks
Residents and progressive associations
For information about community groups in Wellington check out these sites.
Residents Associations Wellington | CAB
Residents Associations Porirua | CAB
Community Access Radio
Community Access Radio is a local radio station that is run by members of the community. Programmes are hosted by individuals or community groups, and are broadcast in their language about their interests. Tune in to listen, or plan to broadcast your own show.
Coast Access Radio 104.7 Kapiti
Wellington Access Radio 106.1 FM
New Zealand Newcomers Network
The New Zealand Newcomers Network is a network of groups throughout New Zealand welcoming newcomers and offering a range of fun social events and activities. The events are a great way to meet new people, find out about local activities, and get connected with your local community. Anyone can join and membership is free.
Wellington region | Newcomers Network
Community settlement services
There are a variety of community groups which can help you feel more settled in. To see a listing of these, visit the Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB) website.
Safety
Neighbourhood support contacts
Neighbourhood Support aims to make our homes and communities safer and more caring places in which to live.
Neighbourhood Support Groups work together with the Police and other community organisations to reduce crime, improve safety and prepare for emergencies and natural disasters. Check this website for someone to talk to about Neighbourhood Support in your area.
New Zealand Police advice for new arrivals
On this site you will find information about the Police and crime prevention advice for newcomers in 12 different languages.
Police contacts
Visit the following links to find out where your nearest police station is and the name of the Pacific and ethnic liaison officer for the region.
Wellington region police stations | NZ Police
Fire Emergency
Use the following link to find out about your local fire emergency service.
Find a station | Fire Emergency New Zealand
Women's refuge
If you are a woman and need information or help from Women's Refuge, use the following link to find out who you can call.
Get help | Women's Refuge national site
Shakti offers a crisis call number (0800SHAKTI) and safe houses around the country for migrant and refugee women who are experiencing domestic violence.
Shakti is a national not-for-profit community organisation specialising in the area of women’s development, domestic/ family violence intervention, prevention and awareness. They provide culturally competent support services for women, children and families of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origin.
Civil Defence Emergency information
Check for important local information about what to do in an emergency from the civil defence site nearest you.
The New Zealand Government created the Get Ready website with information about what to do in many types of emergencies.
Kapiti Coast civil defence | Kapiti Coast District Council
Wellington Region Emergency Management Office
Wellington civil defence | Wellington City Council
Hutt Valley civil defence | Hutt City Council
Porirua civil defence | Porirua City Council
Civil defence emergency management | S Wairarapa District Council
Labour Inspectorate - migrant exploitation
Labour inspectors work with employers and employees to make sure that employment laws are applied properly in workplaces.
If you think that you have not been treated fairly at work, you can contact Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Labour inspectors on 0800 20 90 20.
Transport
Visit the Wellington Regional Council's transport page to find links to transport plans and the key transport options available.
Regional transport overview and links | Wellington regional council
Bus and train services
Wellington's public bus and train services are run by Metlink. Use the following links to find routes, timetables and fares.
Porirua, Kapiti and the Wairarapa
Public transport for these areas is delivered by several overlapping services. Use the following links to find more information about what is available in each area.
Public transport | Porirua city council
Public transport | Kapiti coast district council
Bus and train times for Wairarapa | TranzMetro [PDF]
Cycling and walking
The Wellington City Council's website provides information about suburban walkways, walking tracks and city cycle lanes as well as tips for getting around on bicycles.
The Greater Wellington Regional Council's website has tips and maps for walking and cycling around Wellington City and the greater Wellington region.
Use the following links to find more information.
Cycling | Greater Wellington Regional Council
Walking | Greater Wellington Regional Council
Cycling | Wellington City Council
Walks and walkways | Wellington City Council
Porirua walkways | Porirua City Council
Carpooling and car sharing
Smart Travel NZ is an easy way to find a carpool match, helping you to find people to share a car for your regular commute or a one-off trip.
Cityhop, Mevo and Roam are self-service car share companies with cars for rent by the hour, day or week. Your Drive is a peer to peer car sharing scheme where you rent a vehicle from the owners.
The Days Bay Ferry
A regular ferry service across Wellington harbour used by commuters and tourists. Some trips go via Matiu-Somes Island, allowing day trips to this regional reserve.
Parking
Use the following links to find information about parking in the main shopping areas in the Wellington region.
Kapiti Coast parking | Kapiti Coast District Council
Porirua parking | Porirua City Council
Hutt Valley parking | Hutt City Council