Are you wondering what neighbourhoods in Wellington are the best for Asian families? 

The best neighbourhoods in Wellington for Asian families are Miramar, Petone, Newtown, and Aro Valley (Te Aro). 

Asian families like moving to these areas due to the growing Asian community, rigorous education for their children, the abundance of Asian clinics, restaurants and Asian markets. 

Let’s take a closer look at each neighbourhood so you can see which one might be right for you.

Miramar

For Asian families who don’t mind living a little outside of Wellington city, Miramar is an excellent, reasonably priced option. 

Families can rent a home in Miramar for as little as 700 NZD weekly. For those wanting to buy a home, residences in Miramar with three to four bedrooms typically cost roughly 1,140,650 NZD.

Many families moved to Miramar, which once was the former industrial area, because it is now the centre of Wellington’s film industry. The Asian families living in Miramar are particularly fond of the different Asian clinics in the neighbourhood. 

Besides health clinics, Miramar provides a decent shopping centre that is close to the airport. The world-famous Weta Workshop and the opulent Roxy Cinema are also located in Miramar. 

Weta Workshop is most famous for the Weta Cave, filled with horrifying orcs, dazzling swords, and sci-fi blasters. It is a great place for movie enthusiasts to learn more about Weta’s creative past. 

On the other hand, the stunning art-deco theatre and restaurant, The Roxy Cinema, is a local treasure. The cinema, originally known as The Capitol, has been a staple of Wellington’s artistic community since 1928. 

In fact, running into celebrities is common in Miramar. Actors frequently scurry in and out of the neighbourhood for both work and leisure.

Notable Schools 

Miramar Central School

Address: 38 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 939 0684

Many Asian families like how to prepare the kids at Miramar Central School for success in adulthood, and the staff emphasises the value of respect, independence, and community.

Miramar North School 

Address: 23 Weka Street, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 388 6657

Asian families in the neighbourhood like that shared values and ideals serve as the foundation for the curriculum of Miramar’s North School. Furthermore, many parents like how a student’s behaviour is examined regularly at Miramar’s North School.

Holy Cross School 

Address: 2-6 Athens Street, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 388 7189

Holy Cross School is a Catholic school with cutting-edge initiatives. It is popular with many Asian families with children in grades 1 through 8.

Asian families like this school because of its unique curriculum, in which children are exposed to real-world situations and taught to develop strong habits and standards.

Notable Asian Clinics 

Ascent Acupuncture

Address: 9 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington 6023, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 977 4540

Asian locals in the community like going to Ascent Acupuncture for their acupuncture needs and other traditional Chinese medicine health procedures. 

All of the staff at Ascent Acupuncture are registered practitioners of Proherb and Metagenics and Chinese herbal medicine. The practitioners at Ascent Acupuncture are also known for practising acupuncture for almost ten years and overseeing antenatal classes.

Rejuvenate Acupuncture

Address: 120 Hobart Street, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand

Phone: +64 21 165 8206

Rejuvenate Acupuncture is a holistic health centre that provides acupuncture, Chinese massage, and additional treatments to aid natural healing for you and your pets. 

For you to fully benefit from traditional Chinese medicine, their practitioners combine herbal medication, ointments, and lotions into our therapies. They also assess the most effective treatment choices for you based on your physical and psychological problems.

Petone

With its historic landmarks and architecture, Petone is the starting point of the Wellington region’s European past and continues to do so. But don’t assume that Petone is stuck in the past. 

In Petone, the median house rent is 695 NZD per week, while the median listing price for homes is 1,047,500 NZD. It’s among one of the more reasonably priced neighbourhoods Asian families choose to live in. 

Petone is a centre for manufacturing and a neighbourhood of working-class families. Many locals in Petone travel daily by train to and from work because of the easy commute into downtown Wellington. 

Besides an easy commute from the city centre, Petone is a bustling kaleidoscope of everything great, from lovely walking trails to speciality shops and unusual foods. 

From hatmakers to coffee roasters and designer shops to speciality cheese shops, it’s also a centre of creativity and production.

For example, Jackson Street, which runs parallel to the seaside, makes it easy to enjoy the beautiful views of Petone’s stretch of beach while shopping or eating to your heart’s content. Jackson Street is a round-the-world tour of spices, wine, pastries, and sweets. 

Speciality food importers and manufacturers are snuggled between vintage boutiques and coffee roasters. Jackson St. is also home to several Asian-themed eateries and marketplaces, including Smile Elephant Thai Restaurant, The Chopstick Table, K Sing Restaurant, and more. 

In fact, foodies and Asian families from the greater Wellington area flock to Petone regularly to stock up on treats they miss from home or find unique recipe ingredients at the Asian grocery stores. 

Additionally, as strange as it sounds, Petone is known for its water just as much as its food.

Tse Puna Wai Ora, a spring of pure water naturally filtered through underground aquifers and then UV filtered to ensure it’s extra clean, is marked by a sculpture installation at the intersection of Buick and Jackson Streets. 

You can have a drink or fill up your bottle at any of the nearby taps. Devoted supporters of this pure water source even travel from central Wellington and the nearby Wairarapa district to fill up.

Notable Schools 

Wilford Primary School & Community Emergency Hub

Address: 100A William Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 568 3425

Asian families like how their children can be challenged at Wilford School through intense instruction and an advanced curriculum. 

The curriculum at Wilford School exposes children to various learning experiences that deepen their comprehension of the contemporary world. 

This appeals to many Asian parents because their children can acquire the abilities and qualities needed to participate actively in society. This includes discovering how to create and maintain wholesome, respectful relationships and be confident in oneself and one’s abilities as a student.

Furthermore, the range of extra amenities provided at Wilford School adds to its appeal. Such as their Swimwright swimming programme, which they run in their own indoor pool.

Sacred Heart School Petone

Address: 33 Britannia Street, Petone, Wellington 5012, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 568 6711

Sacred Heart Primary School is a Catholic elementary school that serves both boys and girls in grades one through eight. 

Local parents like how Sacred Heart’s educators are dedicated to helping children learn and maintain core values essential for everyday success. Spiritual, emotional, and cultural uniqueness is valued and fostered too. 

Parents also like how their children are encouraged by the educators at Sacred Heart to maximise their academic potential while maintaining their physical health.

Petone Central School & Community Emergency Hub

Address: 16 Britannia Street, Petone, Wellington 5012, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 568 7974

Petone Central School & Community Emergency Hub is an energetic school that creates a learning environment that promotes a love of learning and success while honouring family principles. 

The staff at Petone Central School are known for being warm, friendly and welcoming. Parents also like how Petone Central heavily emphasises arithmetic, reading, and writing in their school’s curriculum. 

They also cover science, health, social studies, physical education, the arts, technology, and foreign languages. The school serves students in Kindergarten through eighth grade.

Notable Asian Markets

oSAVmo 思恩万家

Address: 10 Gear Street, Petone, Wellington 5012, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 589 2501

OSAVmo is the most well-known Asia Supermarket in Wellington. It is a popular place to shop among locals because of its free delivery with 40 NZD purchases. 

Their Asian grocery supply includes Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and South East Asian groceries and goods. 

Locals in the community like their freezer sections, snack sections, and fresh kimchi sold in bulk. Besides a large variety of products, their prices are also lower compared to other grocery stores in the area. 

Notable Asian Restaurants 

K Sing Restaurant

Address: 5012/192 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 568 7941

K Sing Restaurant creates inspired dishes from Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

The chef at K Sing Restaurant attempts to provide a small taste of some of the few South East Asian delicacies you can enjoy without flying halfway around the world. You can try meals like chicken satay, curry puffs and more. 

Locals like how they use fresh ingredients and accommodate various dietary needs. Such as vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-allergic.

The Chopstick Table

Address: 182 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington 5012, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 213 9165

At The Chopstick Table, you can taste contemporary iterations of traditional Vietnamese meals. For example, you can try a variety of their spring rolls, pho, curries, and more.

Smile Elephant Thai Restaurant

Address: 149 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 568 2825

Smile Elephant is a family-run Thai restaurant serving delicious and fresh authentic Thai food. They have a variety of unique dishes, curries, salads, and more.

First Choice Restaurant 

Address: 180 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington 5012, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 568 8754

First Choice restaurant serves fresh, authentic Chinese food. They have a lunch and dinner menu serving various meals such as roasted duck, brisket, noodles, curries, squid, prawns, dumplings, and more.

Newtown

Newtown is an affordable, energetic, and ethnically diverse neighbourhood. 

In fact, Newtown is home to many immigrants from the Middle East and South Asia. Hence, there are several excellent Asian restaurants, marketplaces, and ethnic grocery stores. 

Additionally, Newtown’s public transportation is perhaps the best available outside the city centre, making it simple to move about the rest of Wellington. Numerous bus routes pass through Newtown en route to the outer eastern suburbs.

As far as housing is concerned, Newtown isn’t cheap, though: townhouses begin at a median listing price of 890,000 NZD. Family homes start at a median listing price of 1,047,500 NZD while the typical weekly rent is 750 to 760 NZD.

Notable Schools 

Newtown School & Community Emergency Hub

Address: 16 Mein Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 389 6667

Newtown School is a vibrant, culturally diverse school committed to giving students an excellent primary school experience.

Newtown School’s learning environment respects cultural identity and fosters individual success. Parents like how their children can develop life skills for success in a constantly changing world.

Additionally, parents like the variety of amenities at Newtown School available to their children. Such as a heated indoor pool, a school library, a computer lab, and an assembly hall. 

Furthermore, students here are encouraged to participate in various school-sponsored activities before and after class. These can include sports like netball, mini polo, basketball, and kapa haka. 

However, these extracurricular courses vary according to the existing teaching staff’s talents and coaches’ availability.

St. Anne’s School 

Address: 14 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 389 3705

For more than a century, St Anne’s has been the go-to for Catholic families in Newtown. They appreciate that what’s taught at St. Anne’s is still influenced and enriched by the Marist and Mercy principles and ethos.

The school collaborates with the community often. Furthermore, their children can receive a comprehensive education that values their individuality while acknowledging their talents and cultural diversity.

Notable Asian Markets

帝福 Asian Food Market

Address: 10 Donald McLean Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 389 7288

At this local Asian market, you can find a variety of Chinese snacks and groceries. Besides groceries, many locals come here to purchase traditional Chinese herbs and medicines. 

The prices are competitive and reasonable compared to other surrounding stores.

Notable Asian Clinics 

Newtown Acupuncture 

Address: 82 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 974 6541

Newtown Acupuncture provides online consultations in acupuncture and other medical treatments. 

Besides treating health disorders with Chinese medicinal treatments and acupuncture, Newtown Acupuncture also has infrared spas for people with rheumatic and cardiovascular conditions and athletes looking to increase their athletic ability. 

What attracts many Asians in the community, though, is the personalised treatment plan developed for them by their practitioners.

Notable Asian Restaurants 

Chan’s Eatery

Address: 170 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 380 0588

Chan’s Eatery is a tidy Chinese takeaway place and a Mom & Pop eatery. 

Locals like how their menu is of a higher calibre than what you often get from takeaways, and it’s authentic Chinese. For example, you can get deep-fried wontons, pork belly noodle soup, and mapo tofu.

Pho Viet Street Food Newtown 

Address: 88c Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 389 9966

Pho Viet Street Food is Vietnamese street food prepared quickly and conveniently using only the freshest ingredients. 

Many local Vietnamese families who dine here like that the menu maintains the original flavours of Vietnamese cuisine and the quick and careful presentation of specialised dishes.

You can get a bowl of steaming Pho noodles, crusty and flavorful Banh mi baguettes, fresh, made-to-order spring rolls, fragrant Vietnamese coffee, and many other delicious items for takeout or dining in.

Te Aro

Te Aro is the definition of an urban neighbourhood—vibrant, active, and welcoming to pedestrians. A wide variety of medium and high-density housing alternatives are ideal for urban couples, professionals in the workforce, and young families.

Rent in Te Aro averages 765 NZD weekly, and the listing price on the real estate markets starts at 690,000 NZD. 

Te Aro combines industrial, residential, commercial, and entertainment areas. It is renowned for its unique stores, cutting-edge Asian restaurants and other cuisines, chic pubs and nightclubs.

The neighbourhood is home to lively nightlife centred around Courtenay Place. There are plenty of cinemas for families who enjoy going to the movies and plenty of shops. 

Notable Schools 

Te Aro School

Address: 360 The Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 384 2860

Te Aro School is a thriving, welcoming, multicultural primary school founded in 1854. They accept about 220 students from more than 36 different nations. 

They offer a comprehensive and varied curriculum and cater to all students in years 0 to 8.

Mt. Cook Preschool 

Address: 160 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Mt. Cook Preschool is a warm, friendly learning environment. Local parents like sending their toddlers here because the teachers are invested in their students and genuinely care for every child. 

Furthermore, the staff at Mt. Cook Preschool are active, hands-on early childhood educators. They work closely with parents and form gentle relationships with each child, so they can flourish in a safe and stimulating environment.

Notable Asian Clinics 

WellCare Chinese Medicine Clinic

Address: Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 382 9451

Many Asians in the community come to Dr Wu of WellCare Chinese Medicine Clinic for their Chinese medicinal treatments and needs. Since he has been in practice since 1995, he’s earned a sterling reputation for the calibre of the medical care he offers.

Dr Wu and his team provide complete diagnoses and successful Chinese medicinal treatments alongside various therapies. Typical visits last 60 minutes and feature one-on-one personal attention with Dr Wu to ensure that you get the most out of your time.

They provide the following services:

• Acupressure and acupuncture
• Sports injuries and recovery
• Massage therapy for athletes
• Male and Female Health
• Chinese medicine
• Herbal remedies

Good Health Acupuncture Clinic

Address: Unit 231 A level 1 Left Bank, Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 385 8289

Good Health Acupuncture Clinic has more than 30 years of education and clinical practice. 

Asians in the community like that they provide thorough and all-encompassing treatment for injuries and illnesses using traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. 

They treat the following: 

• Sports-related injuries
• Frozen shoulder
• Sciatica
• Tennis elbow
• Back discomfort
• Sleeplessness
• Anxiety
• Recurring fatigue and migraines
• Female health issues
• Allergies
• Sinusitis
• Eczema
• Acne
• General maintenance of health

Notable Asian Markets

Haere Mai/하레마이

Address: 125 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 385 8342

Haere Mai is the largest Asian store in town, with a vast selection of Asian groceries and products. 

At first, Haere Mai initially primarily sold Korean groceries. Yet, over time they have expanded to include a lot more Chinese, Japanese, and other South East Asian ingredients and delights.

Oriental Pantry

Address: 123 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 213 8962

Asian locals in the community come to Oriental Pantry to shop for any groceries needed to create authentic Chinese cuisine. Other home products imported directly from China are available here too. 

Notable Asian Restaurants

Asian Kitchen 

Address: 101 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington 3120, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 472 8887

Asian Kitchen specialises in authentic dishes from China, Thailand, and Vietnam. On their menu, you can choose from spring rolls, fried prawns, a variety of Asian soups and more.

Plus, their meals have the option of being vegetarian and gluten-free.

Mr Go’s 

Address: 59 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 384 3488

Mr Go’s is a relaxed joint whipping up creative regional Asian dishes in a bright space that has murals & a bar.

You can find anything from pork belly, tofu, wontons, prawns, vegetarian dishes and more on their menu. Their use of range-free meat and eggs in their meals is also a part of their appeal.

Dragonfly 

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Address: 70 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 803 3995

Dragonfly’s menu features traditional Asian dishes with a contemporary twist. The chefs take inspiration from Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia to create their menu. 

Here you can find anything from katsu pork, dumplings, curry, noodle dishes, and authentic Asian desserts. 

Monsoon Poon

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Address: 12 Blair Street, Te Aro

Phone: 04-803 3555

Favourite foods from Thailand, Malaysia, India, China, and Indonesia have been spicing up Wellington residents’ and visitors’ lives at Monsoon Poon.

At Monsoon Poon, you have your pick of booths or tables, whether in a private or social dining experience, where you can watch the South East Asian chefs at Monsoon Poon whip up your meals in real-time.

Siem Reap Restaurant 

Address: 99 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 385 4590

Siem Reap Restaurant uses market-fresh local products to serve traditional Cambodian cuisine. 

The appealing menu, skilled cooking team, and welcoming front-of-house staff attract locals and visitors to Te Aro to try the Cambodian delights served at Siam Reap. 

Locals in the community also like how Siem Reap caters to business dinners, banquets, or even quick dinners. 

Restaurant 88 – Vietnamese Restaurant 

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Address: 88 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 385 9088

Restaurant 88 is a small piece of Vietnam that is not hard to find on Tory Street as it’s in the centre of the city. From Bahn Mi to various spring rolls and Pho, Restaurant 88 doesn’t shy away from giving a sample of what Vietnam offers in terms of cuisine. 

The scrumptious authentic Vietnamese food served with a contemporary touch attracts many locals and travellers alike to dine here. But for Vietnamese families in Te Aro, Restaurant 88 is a taste of home.

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