Living in Wellington

The New Zealand School of Dance is based in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington – a beautiful city, alive with cosmopolitan culture and a creative atmosphere.

Nestled between a stunning natural harbour and tree-covered hills, Wellington is a small city with a big heart. It is the cultural capital of New Zealand, with art galleries, theatres, outdoor activities and hundreds of cafes and restaurants – all to be found in close proximity to the School.

Multicultural and globally connected

Wellington plays host to many national dance, theatre, film and music institutions, including the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Footnote New Zealand Dance, Dance Aotearoa New Zealand, Weta Workshop (Lord of the Rings films), the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the New Zealand Film Archive and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Wellington hosts events such as the NZ International Arts Festival, the International Film Festival and the World of WearableArt. It is a hub for performing arts training, home to the New Zealand School of Music, Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and the New Zealand School of Dance.

Climate & lifestyle

Located on a peninsula at the bottom of the North Island, Wellington’s climate is moderate with distinct summer and winter seasons. The temperature ranges between a low of 6 degrees celcius in July and a high of 28 degrees in February.

Wellington ranks as the safest city in New Zealand, and the 18th safest city in the world. In 2018 Wellington topped Deutsche Bank’s list of 50 cities with the best quality of life, beating out Zurich, Copenhagen, Edinburgh and Vienna. In the Mercer Quality of Living Rankings as the most affordable city in Australasia in 2012, and the 12th most liveable city in the world in 2015. It is a pleasure to live here.