Stuart Anderson 

Wellington, New Zealand’s cosmopolitan capital city and a major gateway for travelers to domestic and international destinations. There are a limited number of airlines flying fast routes, and flights from Wellington provide an easy jumping-off point to some of the country’s most sought-after places. Whether you’re seeking a weekend getaway or two weeks in paradise, these nonstop flights will get you there just a little less painfully.

Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest city and a popular destination for business and leisure travelers. A direct flight from Wellington in just over an hour will bring visitors to this burgeoning metropolis. Known for beautiful harbor and vibrant culture (and with a variety of lifestyles), Auckland is a great first taste of New Zealand cosmopolitan living.

You might be surprised to learn that the next best city is Christchurch, New Zealand’s South Island big City of the Future, where nature and urban renewal collide. Also flying direct from Wellington, the new guests will enjoy the city’s gardens and historic architecture, as well as hot spots of adventure nearby like the Canterbury Alps. Christchurch is also regarded as a superb gateway to the picturesque landscape of New Zealand’s South Island.