New Zealand

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital and seat of government, home to Parliament and the Beehive. The capital moved from Auckland to Wellington in 1865 because Wellington’s central location between the North and South Islands made it better for governing and defense. Though Auckland is the largest city and often mistaken as the capital, Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city, and Hamilton is a major North Island city, none host the national government. Memory tip: think “Windy Wellington rules”—the famously breezy city “rules” the country. Also, picture the capital at the bottom of the North Island, near the Cook Strait, bridging both islands—central for a nation split in two.