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Courtenay Creatives: The Best of Art, Style and Design in Wellington’s Courtenay Precinct

Homewares on display at Kura Wellington.
Story Wellington
From tucked-away galleries to quirky boutiques, Wellington’s Courtenay Precinct is brimming with creativity. Whether you’re looking for original artwork, vintage oddities, or avant-garde fashion, there’s plenty to explore in this rich part of the capital city.

Toi Store at Pātaka

The inside of Toi Store at Pātaka.
Place Porirua

Gallery and museum gift shops are sometimes seen as a nice-to-have, a neat place to peruse some trinkets on the way out.

Whirinaki Whare Taonga

The large imposing exterior of Whirinaki Whare Taonga in Upper Hutt.
Place Hutt Valley
Galleries and museum key icon.

Whether it’s dinosaurs or the Mona Lisa, Whirinaki Whare Taonga is an arts centre that simply refuses to do boring.

Cars Inc.

A black car in front of a large fluorescent 'Cars' sign.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon. Galleries and museum key icon.

What started out as simply a young boy with a passion has turned into a lifelong project for car enthusiast Paul Boden, and the opening of Cars Inc.

The Dowse

The white exterior of The Dowse Museum in Lower Hutt.
Place Hutt Valley
Galleries and museum key icon.

Renowned for its creative spirit, the Wellington region is home to an enviable array of world-class art galleries and museums.

Toi MAHARA

Weaved bags and mats on display inside a gallery.
Place Kāpiti Coast
Galleries and museum key icon.

Toi MAHARA is the district public gallery for the Kāpiti Coast. It stands in pride of place in the heart of Waikanae in a purpose-built building designed by Athfield Architects.

Toi Matarau

A large gallery full of colourful works of art.
Place Kāpiti Coast
Galleries and museum key icon.

Toi Matarau is a gallery within the Māoriland Hub in the heart of Ōtaki village.

play_station

A spotlight shining on a wall of two small art works.
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon. Theatre and performance key icon.

It’s no secret Wellington is the creative capital of New Zealand.

Light House Cinema Cuba

Seats and tables sitting underneath movie posters in the waiting room.
Place Wellington
Theatre and performance key icon.

Light House Cuba creates the ultimate film going experience and all you need to do is sit back and relax.

Enjoy Contemporary Art Space

Lucy Meyle, Soft Spot, 2020.
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon.

With a regularly rotating schedule of work on display in Enjoy's two separate exhibition spaces, you will always find something new and exciting to draw you in.

Old St Paul's
Place Wellington

While Old St Paul’s is no longer affiliated with the Anglican Church (or any church for that matter) it still makes a beautiful spot to come and reflect no matter if you’re atheist, agnostic or still deciding.

City Gallery

Exterior of Wellington City Gallery
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon.

The hub for art-life in New Zealand’s capital, City Gallery Wellington is a contemporary art gallery with a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events.

Bats Theatre

The front of the building.
Place Wellington
Theatre and performance key icon.

Needing no introduction, BATS Theatre is one of Wellington’s cultural institutions.

Dinner and a Show: Where to Eat, Drink, and Be Entertained in Wellington’s Courtenay Precinct

People dining outside by a building covered in vines.
Story Wellington
Courtenay Precinct is where Wellington’s nightlife and culture collide. Packed with theatres, cinemas, bars and restaurants, you’ll find top-notch spots to eat, drink, and be entertained – all within a few blocks. Here’s our guide to the perfect pairings for an evening well spent.

Suite Art Gallery

Black and white framed works of art on a white wall.
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon.

Priced between two and six figures, Suite caters for would-be buyers at each end of the spectrum.

Te Papa

The interior of the museum.
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon.

Te Papa is one of New Zealand’s most prized museums.

Empire Cinema & Eatery

White tiled front counter.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon. Theatre and performance key icon.

Empire is fitting for a cinema that pre-dated ‘talkies’ when it played its first reel in 1925, but as far as movie theatres go, this one is more for those who’d pick pinot over popcorn.