Aro Valley

Wellington’s quirkiest inner-city area lies in a valley between the hills of Brooklyn and Kelburn, and is sited between the universities of Victoria and Massey.  It’s known for its alternative inner city lifestyle, strong community spirit, high profile rainbow residents and political activists (not all students) and, despite extensive gentrification, it’s a stronghold of the Green Party.

The area, within walking distance of the central city, developed in the late 19th century as a working-class residential suburb, hence the closely built wooden and corrugated iron colonial cottages.  There’s a real village atmosphere, with two highly organised community gardens and its political meetings (held at local body and general elections) are Wellington’s best free shows.  Its petrol station (now closed) was used in ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’, a popular New Zealand movie released in 1981.