Te Aro

Wellington, New Zealand

Overall Safety
Good
4.4 / 5
Based on 12 Safety Metrics

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Summary

Te Aro is the central neighborhood with the most cafes, restaurants, and attractions. Good base for visitors. Safe during the day, reasonably safe at night on main streets. Courtenay Place gets loud on weekend nights.

Central and busyCuba Street has alternative cultureLots of cafesMix of locals and touristsNightlife district
Details

Te Aro is the central neighborhood with Cuba Street, Courtenay Place, and the waterfront. During the day you'll see office workers at cafes, people browsing shops, tourists at Te Papa museum. Eating alone is common - most cafes have people reading or on laptops. Cuba Street (pedestrian mall) has street performers, shops, and various restaurants. Courtenay Place is the main nightlife area with theaters, bars, and late-night food. Friday and Saturday nights get loud with drunk people, though it's not particularly dangerous - just stick to main streets if you're out late. The waterfront area stays quieter in the evenings.

Safety Ratings

Daytime Safety

Excellent

Night Walking Safety

Good

Harassment Risk

Low

Public Transport Safety

Excellent

Pickpocketing Risk

Low

Scam Risk

Low

Police Visibility

Good

Emergency Services

Excellent

Evening Venues

Excellent

Solo Dining

Excellent

Drug Activity

Very High

Homelessness Visibility

Very High

Getting By in English

Excellent
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Recommended Places

Cafes

  • Flight Coffee Hangar
  • Havana Coffee Works
  • Mojo Coffee

Restaurants

  • Ortega Fish Shack
  • Logan Brown
  • Scopa

Bars

  • Hawthorn Lounge
  • The Library
  • Noble Rot Wine Bar

Other Spots

  • Cuba Street (pedestrian mall)
  • Te Papa Tongarewa (National Museum)
  • Wellington Waterfront
Impressions & Tips

"Lots of people eat alone at cafes here, didn't feel weird about it"

"Cuba Street has character during the day, good people watching"

"Courtenay Place weekend nights are drunk and loud but didn't feel dangerous, just annoying"

"No one cares if you're alone, everyone's doing their own thing"

"Cafes let you sit for hours with a book, no pressure to leave"

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Safety Reminder

Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.

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