Planning a holiday in New Zealand? This article will give you an idea of the cost of living in Wellington and prices for every day items you’re likely to purchase while on holiday in New Zealand. In a 2010 worldwide cost of living survey, Auckland ranks in 149th place, while Wellington is the least expensive city of the two at 163rd in the world.

Exchange Rate:
$1 USD = $1.27 NZD
$1 AUD = $1.30 NZD
$1 EUR = $1.74 NZD

Shopping:
Can of Coke = $2 NZD
Loaf of bread = $3.50 NZD
Small bottle of water = $3 NZD
Large bottle of water = $4 NZD
Local beers (12) = $20 NZD

Night Life:
Restaurant meal: $20-$50/person
Takeaway meal: $10-$20/person
Beer in a pub = $8 NZD
Cigarettes = $14.50 NZD
Beer price’s and size can vary a lot from pub to pub and restaurant to restaurant.

Tourist Life:
Post Cards = $4 NZD
DVD’s & CD’s = $10-$15 NZD
Disposable camera: $15

Transport & Parking:
Petrol (unleaded): $2.10/litre NZD
Petrol (diesel): $1.50/litre NZD
Car rental = $45/day NZD
Motorbike rental = $30/day NZD
Taxi hire = $2.50/km NZD
Bus ride = $6/day NZD
City parking = $10/day NZD

Phone and Internet:
Sim Card: $5
Internet cafe: $2 for 15 minutes

Exchange rates current as at 09 November 2011. Cost of living prices above are provided as a guide only; as at 09 November 2011.

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The Harbour City is surrounded by crisp, clean ocean. From Rongotai Apartments you have ease of access to Wellington’s best swimming beaches, surf beaches, fishing spots and picturesque bays. Within minutes, you can be at any of the following coastal spots.

View Beaches in Wellington, New Zealand in a larger map

Oriental Bay & Wellington Harbour

Oriental Bay Beach offers spectacular views of Wellington city centre, Wellington harbour and the iconic Oriental Bay fountain. Oriental Bay is a great place for a walk, cycle or jog as it has wide pedestrian footpaths, lots of seating and grass areas, cafes, and golden sandy beaches. Sun bathing, swimming, sporting and other events are common at Oriental Bay in the summer months.

Lyall Bay Beach

Wellington’s surf beach. South coast views across a marvelous vista of blue waves, directly west of Wellington international airport with spectacular views of air crafts landing and taking off. Golden sand, panoramic view of the beach with great surf and fresh southern air. Home of the famous Maranui cafe and a popular place to grab an ice cream or some fish & chips and walk along the long stretch of beach, either on the sand or the large footpath.

Balaena Bay

A pleasant sunny pebble beach situated between Hataitai Beach and Oriental Bay, lately a popular spot for travellers with camper vans and rental cars. Superb vista views of Evans Bay, often filled with wind surfers, jet skiers, yachties and boaties.

Evans Bay

The home of the Evans bay mariner, a nice walk through the mariner to Hataitai Beach, Balaena Bay, Cog Bay and even Oriental Bay. Popular with yachties, wind surfers, and jet skiers.

Shelly Bay

Shelly Bay is on the Miramar peninsula, this piece of paradise is just minutes drive from Kilbirnie. Views of Evans Bay and Balena Bay opposite, and of Wellington city centre. A pebble beach with crisp glittering blue water and beaming sun. Also a nice fishing and diving spot.

Seatoun Beach

Large sandy eastern coast line that includes Seatoun wharf.  The wharf is a popular spot for fishing and diving off the pier.

Scorching Bay

A classic Wellington summer beach. Named after the burning hot peak summer days that. Grass and sandy areas with a cafe next to the beach. Popular for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, football and rugby on the grass, events and bbq’s.

Houghton Bay

Views of the south island on a clear day. A forbidden surfing beach due to its dangerous and volatile waves. Great area for snorkeling with a shipwreck in close proximity. Rocky coasts and sand beaches, wild waves, close to red rocks historic volcano and seal spot around Owhiro Bay.

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The New Zealand All Blacks have won the Rugby World Cup 2011 at Eden Park after a grueling match against a tough, passionate and well-formed French side. The All Blacks managed to hang on to their 8-7 lead without error or conceeding a penalty that could have put France ahead with less than 20 minutes to play.

Man of the match went to Thierry Dusautoir of France.

It has been a great tournament set in rugby heaven, one that our visitors to New Zealand will have fond memories of and us Kiwi’s will celebrate for years to come.

Congratulations to a well deserved win New Zealand!

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Women's Futsal Tournament at the ASB Sports Centre in Wellington

Wellington is hosting the first ever NZF-Futsal Girls and Women’s Tournament this weekend to be held at the new ASB Sports Centre in Kilbirnie.  The tournament is an exciting milestone for women’s football in New Zealand where eight teams from around the country are competing to be the first NZ Women’s Futsal champions.

The purpose-built ASB Sports Centre in Wellington offers world-class facilities ideal for Futsal, Basketball, Netball, Volleyball and other indoor sporting activities.

Futsal is a fast growing sport in New Zealand with strong interest in the major cities; Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

Rongotai Apartments provides sports teams and spectators unique self contained accommodation in Wellington close to the new ASB Sports Centre. In fact, our Serviced Apartments are located a stone’s throw from Kilbirnie Pool, Kilbirnie Recreation Centre and the Kilbirnie Shopping Centre too.

Take a look at the action packed schedule of games at the two-day NZF-Futsal Girls and Women’s Tournament.

If you haven’t seen the new sports centre yet, get down to Cobham Park in Kilbirnie and check it out!

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Kilbirnie Recreation Centre

Kilbirnie Recreation Centre is located near Kilbirnie Pool and Kilbirnie Park. The centre has been upgraded in recent years with new, modern facilities for skateboards, bikes, scooters, roller skates and inline skates.

No doubt you already know some of Wellington’s best attractions, but if you are staying locally in Kilbirnie be sure to check out the Kilbirnie Rec, it’s great family fun that’s a hit with the kids.

Kilbirnie Rec Centre – Facilities

• 20m by 40m concrete rink
• Removable ramps and obstacles (used during public hours)
• Tinytown (childrens play area)

Kilbirnie Recreation Centre is located at 101 Kilbirnie Crescent.
Phone: (04) 387 1491
Fax: (04) 387 1495
Email: kilbirnie.rec@wcc.govt.nz

Kilbirnie Recreation Centre – Official Website

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Brand new state-of-the-art Indoor Sports Centre in Wellington - ASB Sports Centre in Kilbirnie

ASB Sports Centre Website

The brand new state-of-the-art indoor sports centre in Kilbirnie is to open this Saturday 27 August. Recently named the “ASB Sports Centre”, the complex is a welcome addition to the local facilities for netball, basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports.

The ASB Sports Centre is at 72 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie.
Phone: (04) 801 3400
Fax: (04) 801 0501
Email: sportscentre@wcc.govt.nz

Overview
Venue & Equipment Hire
Programmes & Activities

Sports Centre Facilities

• 12 sprung-floor courts available for hire, suitable for most indoor sports and recreation activities
• Spectator seating for up to 2,200 people
• Three meeting rooms
• Changing rooms
• Café with seating for up to 100 people that can also cater for functions in the centre
• 317 free onsite car parks
• Outdoor half court

Rongotai Apartments, located on Rongotai Road, is a short walk from the ASB Sports Centre.

View Directions to the ASB Sport Centre in a larger map

Check out the WCC website for more information about the facilities and venue hire.

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Submit your ideas for the fit-out of our three bedroom apartments! We’re thinking about changing it up in 2012 so you’re invited to take part in our Facebook Poll to help us best configure the bedding in our serviced apartments for your needs.

How can we best configure our 3-bedroom apartments?

• 3 Queen Beds (one in each bedroom)
• 1 Queen Bed + 4 Single Beds
• 2 Queen Beds + 2 Single Beds

Submit your response on Facebook

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UPDATE 6th Nov 2011: Review left by BBC co-producer on their stay at Rongotai Apartments

“Perfect accommodation for filming a BBC property programme”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 5, 2011

As the New Zealand co-producer of the UK TV series, Wanted Downunder, I had to find comfortable accommodation for UK families that we were filming during their week long stay in Wellington. We also sometimes like to film the accommodation to include in the programme, so looking good on camera is always a bonus! I booked Rongotai Apartments for one of our British families and it was PERFECT. Plenty of space for a family with three adult children, fantastic modern facilities, immaculately clean, and nice and close to lovely Oriental Bay cafes and Lyall Bay, but mostly I’d like to thank Andreas for the outstanding customer service and his willingness to make sure our family were as comfortable as they could possibly be. I know the family really enjoyed their stay, especially because the long days of filming can really take it out of the families, so it’s great to have a perfectly cosy apartment to return to at the end of the day. Thank you! Read the full review on TripAdvisor

Today we farewell the Coe family who stayed at Rongotai Apartments for the filming of BBC TV’s Wanted Down Under series in which British families are given a look at life in New Zealand ahead of possible migration. The weather has been a challenge with snowy conditions taking hold of the capital for a few days, but we’re delighted to hear the family enjoyed their cosy accommodation and adventures in Wellington.

We’ll keep an update of when the series will be released and provide links for a sneak peak at the footage as soon as the series is launched.

We wish to thank BBC Television and their team for choosing Rongotai Apartments to host the Coe family.

Keep you posted soon!

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The Coolest Little Capital In The World will be turning it on for Rugby World Cup 2011 in hosting 6 pool matches and 2 of the quarter final games at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium. The team at Rongotai Apartments is looking forward to welcoming guests for the Rugby World Cup games, so whether you’re travelling from Ireland or Palmerston North, this post is to provide a light introduction to Wellington’s part in the tournament.

Wellington is no stranger to major international events; the locals are pumped and the city’s world-class infrastructure, bars, restaurants, cafe’s, and accommodations are ready for visitors. Wellington airport recently unveiled their a new International Terminal, the new Indoor Sports Centre (ICSC) on Cobham Park is about officially open along with recent improvements to the roads and the public transport network is running more buses to and from the stadium on game days.

Wellington Stadium – RWC 2011 Match Schedule

Wellington Stadium Venue Overview

Wellington Regional Stadium is location at
147 Waterloo Quay
Wellington City

Limited parking will be available at the stadium. We suggest using public transport to and from the stadium. Take any bus to Wellington Stadium and get off at the railway station, it’s then a short walk to the stadium. Buses to Kilbirnie are: 2, 6, 24, 11, 3, and 18.

Although ticket offices will be open 3 hours before each game kicks off, we suggest you check out the full match schedule and buy your tickets early!

Wellington Regional Stadium has bars, snack bars, fast foods, Automatic Teller Machines and designated smoking areas.

Wellington Airport Travel

Wellington Airport is located a short distance from the CBD and Wellington Regional Stadium. The airport flyer bus is a reliable public transport service with free WiFi and air conditioning, while shuttles and taxis are always plentiful at the front of the terminal. Rongotai Apartments is a short 5 minute drive from Wellington airport.

Wining and Dining

Wellington is renowned for its fine restaurants and award wining cuisine from some of the countries best chefs. Our recommendation is to visit Cuba Street, the Wellington Waterfront, Courtney Place, Blair Street and Alan Street – Take your pick from the many restaurants and bars for every taste and budget.

Local Events – What to do in Wellington

Wellington’s event calendar is packed with an exciting line up of fun things to do during your stay for the Rugby World Cup and beyond. Take a look through the Real NZ Events website for more information.

Places to Eat around Kilbirnie

Useful Resources

www.rugbyworldcup.com – The official website of the Rugby World Cup
www.wellingtonnz.com – The official website of Wellington, New Zealand
www.wcc.govt.nz – The website of the Wellington City Council
www.metlink.org.nz – The website of Wellington’s Public Transport network.

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A selection of TV advertisments by SKY for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

“We Will Be Match Fit”

“Waikato”

“Shooting Practice”

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