It's Wellington not Auckland

The capital of New Zealand is Wellington and not Auckland. Just like Canberra is the capital of Australia and not Sydney. (and also like back then in Germany, Bonn and not Berlin, but there were other reasons)

It is beautifully located between a hilly landscape and the Pacific Ocean. It's a bit more strenuous for pedestrians because it's constantly going up and down. That's why there is also a cable car that takes you to a beautiful viewpoint over the city. From there you go back to the city via the free botanical garden. (Again a lot of plus points, especially with the travel companion.)

Then there is CUBA Street and it's like a time capsule because young people walk around there like they did in the 80s. (Hair styled like a popper with hairspray but with a piercing and tattoo as an add on. Either it's fashionable again or they're 40 years behind. There are many 2nd hand shops with prices like designer stores. Obviously the clothes from the 80s are in short supply and therefore quite expensive. The original T-shirts with ZZ-Top on them for 50 euros. That wasn't for me because I saw it in the original and who else knows ZZ-Top?

Tomorrow we'll take the ferry to the South Island.