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Slow Boat Records

Old movie posters on the walls at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Record player and headphones for listening to records at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Interior view of Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Close up of new vinyl for sale at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Side view of CDs on display at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Slow Boat's top 50 essential album chart at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Shelves of records and CDs at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Close up of CD tags at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
View of inside the store at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Close up of records for sale at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Counter area at Slow Boat Records, Wellington.
Exterior of Slow Boat Records, Wellington.

Monday9:30 am – 5:30 pm.

Tuesday9:30 am – 5:30 pm.

Wednesday9:30 am – 5:30 pm.

Thursday9:30 am – 5:30 pm.

Friday9:30 am – 6:30 pm.

Saturday10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Sunday10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

183 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington

04 385 1330

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Who said music retail stores were in decline? Well, anyone paying attention to anything did, but that's beside the point. So while the nation's malls fill with the calcified husks of yesterday's CD Stores, indie stalwart Slow Boat Records continues to offer up tray upon neatly-catalogued tray of music worth looking into, in CD and vinyl form.

The Cuba Street institution has been flying the flag for independent records stores for, well, since forever. If you prize hours of crate-digging or the thrill of a new favourite sound, make this your next port of call. Samuel Flynn-Scott declares this place as "meditation for music nerds." 

Photography by Anna Briggs

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Location

183 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington

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Featured in

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Samuel Flynn Scott reclining on a chair.
Story Wellington
I’m one of the singer-songwriters in The Phoenix Foundation and I make music for film and TV with Conrad Wedde and Lukasz Buda as Moniker. On top of that I write about food for The Spinoff and Cuisine magazine and am generally obsessed with anything delicious.

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A walk down Thorndon Quay is a quick reminder of the strength, resilience and creativity of Wellington’s business community. Even as challenges have reshaped the area, a collection of beloved local businesses remain as an enduring anchor of the community. From handcrafted furniture and authentic French cuisine to vibrant textiles and personalised hairstyling, these enduring traders reflect the heart of the Quay – inviting visitors to explore, enjoy, and support the places that have long been part of its fabric.