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.
Looking for general community services information?
 

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

Carterton District Council

Masterton District Council

South Wairarapa District Council

Kapiti Coast District Council

Porirua City Council

Upper Hutt City Council 

Hutt City Council

Wellington City Council

Wellington Regional 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

IRD numbers | 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.

Postshop/Kiwibank locator

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

OUTLineNZ

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

Arrow 92.7 FM Wairarapa

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.

Settlement services | CAB

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. 

Neighbourhood support

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 - new arrivals

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.

NZ Police Communities

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.

Shakti New Zealand

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

Get Ready

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.

Labour inspectors | MBIE

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.

Public Transport | Metlink

Timetables | Metlink

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.

Smart Travel NZ

Cityhop

Mevo

Roam

Your Drive

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.

Days Bay ferry | East by West

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

Upper Hutt parking | Upper Hutt City Council 

Wellington parking | Wellington City Council

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