Got sent to Wellington for work. One hour on a Jetstar flight, two days, back home by the second evening. Short enough that you pack light but long enough to actually get a feel for the place.
The flight down was straightforward. Window seat, clear skies, and that view just before landing where you can see the whole city laid out below you with the harbour cutting through it. Wellington from the air looks compact. That turns out to be accurate.
The CBD is genuinely walkable in a way Auckland is not. Everything feels close together and the streets are actually interesting to walk down, which is a low bar but Auckland still hasn’t cleared it in most places. There are hills, which you notice on day one and feel on day two, but nothing that makes you stop and reconsider your life choices.
The thing that stood out most was how friendly people were. Not in a forced way, just generally more willing to make eye contact and smile at strangers. I noticed it within about twenty minutes of landing. Aucklanders are fine but we do have a bit of a default expression that suggests mild suspicion. Wellington people seemed to have sorted that out.
Having two days meant I could actually eat properly. The food scene lives up to the reputation. Good coffee everywhere, a lot of small spots that look like they actually care about what they are serving. Worth going back just for that.
The airport was the last thing I saw before flying home and honestly it left a good impression. There is a bird sculpture hanging in the terminal that catches the light in a way that makes you stop and look at it properly. Not something I usually say about airport decor.
One hour back to Auckland on the Jetstar home. Would go again, would try to stay even longer next time.