Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

Table of Contents

Overview - Wellington

Located on the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island, Wellington is the capital of and the third largest city by population in New Zealand. It has approximately 209,800 inhabitants in the city proper as of 2025. The Wellington metropolitan area comprised 433,900 residents as of the 2025 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings Estimate.

Wellington's has three regional rail services, two commuter rail services, and a funicular line.

MetLink Rail

Dating back to 1873, Wellington's Suburban Rail network consists of three regional rail services and two commuter rail services that serve the city of Wellington and the surrounding suburbs.

Johnsonville Line

The Johnsonville Line is a regional rail service on a North-South alignment. It runs from Johnsonville in the north to Wellington in the south along the former alignment of the North Island Main Trunk, serving 9 stations.

The Johnsonville Line dates back to September 1885 as part of the North Island Main Trunk, and the last expansion to the line was the opening of Crofton Downs in March 1963.

Kāpiti Line

The Kāpiti Line is a regional rail service on a North-South alignment. It runs from Waikanae in the north to Wellington in the south along the current alignment of the North Island Main Trunk, serving 14 stations.

The Kāpiti Line dates back to September 1885 as part of the North Island Main Trunk, with its alignment switching to the current tunnels in July 1935, and the last expansion to the line was the opening of Redwood in December 1963.

Hutt Valley and Melling Lines

The Hutt Valley Line is a regional rail service on a Northeast-Southwest alignment. It runs from Upper Hutt in the northeast to Wellington in the southeast, serving 17 stations. The Melling Branch, part of the original alignment of the Hutt Valley Line, has two additional stations. Note that Ngauranga is only served by Melling Line services during rush hours.

The Hutt Valley Line opened in July 1873 and the last expansion to the line was the opening of Silverstream in November 1954.

Wairarapa Line

The Wairarapa Line is a commuter rail service on a Northeast-Southwest alignment. It runs from Masterton in the northeast to Wellington in the southeast, serving 12 stations along the Hunt Valley Line.

The Wairarapa Line opened in its current form in 1964 and the last expansion to the line was the opening of Maymorn in November 1955.

Wellington Cable Car

Wellington Cable Car

The Wellington Cable Car is a funicular line on an east-west alignment. It runs from Kelburn in the west to Lambton Quay in the east, serving 5 stations.

The Wellington Cable Car opened in February 1902.

References & Helpful Links

Wellington Cable Car at Wikipedia

Official Website for MetLink: MetLink

Official Website for Wellington Cable Car: Wellington Cable Car

Maps

All Official Maps - MetLink [Last Accessed December 25, 2025]

Official System/Line Map - MetLink Regional Rail Network [PDF] [Last Accessed December 25, 2025]

Other Sources

Wellington, New Zealand at Urbanrail.net

Other Websites

External Citations

Asset Notes

All line colors taken from official MetLink website as of December 25, 2025.