Just about the most charming secondhand bookshop in Wellington. Pegasus suits many interests-- from a fantastic fiction room, to shelves devoted to naval histories, to a section on witchcraft. Good selection of NZ writers, too. Each space is well indexed and kept remarkably tidy, given the book-to-shelf ratio. Very hard to go in for a browse here and leave without at least a few titles to add to your collection.

Arty Bees is an impressive secondhand bookstore. Located in the heart of Wellington, the store is always stocked with used (and some new) fiction and non-fiction. Highlights include an impressive selection of New Zealand literature (and, secondarily, poetry) and rows of science fiction and fantasy that will make you seriously consider picking up some Ursula K. Le Guin or Dianna Wynne Jones for the first time in over a decade. Despite some gaping holes in their modern & classic literature section, I've found great editions by Roald Dahl, Virginia Woolf, and Camus. And while most retailers close early in Wellington, Arty Bees is famous for the late hours they keep, staying open until 9 pm on weeknights and 10 pm on weekends.

There are so many amazing secondhand book stores in New Zealand (Wellington in particular), but sometimes you need something specific and you need it now. Turn to Unity Books in your time of need. With a great selection of New Zealand writers, an entire, stretching wall of fiction, both classic and extremely contemporary (like Tao Lin's Taipei, only out in the States in June), and many pockets of specialty books scattered throughout the shop, you may have stopped in for a specific title but you'll find yourself browsing for hours. As an added bonus, the staff is exceedingly knowledgeable and ready to help-- Unity is one of the only book shops I've been to where those staff recommended titles are truly appealing.

If you're in Newtown for the day and keen to spend a good while scouring shelves of secondhand books, Rainbow Books is calling for you. Towering stacks of books greet customers at the door, and extend over every square inch of the shop. There is a lot of nonsense hiding a few bargain-priced gems, but if you're prepared to search you'll generally be rewarded for your troubles.

A beautiful library in the heart of the city, Wellington Central is packed with things you'll actually want to check out. Highlights include the graphic novel wall, an entire audio/video section on the ground floor complete with neon signage to help guide you there, and a fairly well-stocked fiction section. Niche subjects find their home on the first floor, from arts and crafts to naval histories. Most exciting (and iconic) is their zine section, newly relocated for renovations from its regular home on the back wall of the first floor to an odd little spot in front of a help desk. With a seemingly endless rotation of zines color-coded by topic and adorable brown parcels on hand to keep them neat and tidy in your bag, you'll get lost in this section for hours. Grab a cup of coffee to recharge at Clark's Cafe, or come with your laptop to watch the crowds moving across Civic Square.

So many classes, not enough time! The Community Education Centre have a range of classes to suit. From languages to fitness, cooking, crafts and business courses, the classes are offered throughout the year. The great part is that for a lot of the more popular classes, there are options for days and times. Some courses go for a term, others a month, there are even Saturday courses. Go with a friend or brave it alone, the teachers are friendly and so are the other students. It’s never too late to learn something new!

Ever wanted to join a circus? Learn a party trick? Touch your toes? This is the place to learn it all. They take students of all shapes, sizes and abilities in a safe and encouraging environment. I’m currently trying to master the art of hand balance but there are HEAPS of other course such as hula hoop and trapeze too. Half the fun of going to class is watching the others leap, bound and balance around you. I don’t think enough people know about this Wellington gem so go and see how cool it is for yourself! It’s good for you too!

I went with a group of friends for a hen’s do. We were greeted with bubbles and platters on arrival and we sipped and nibbled as the hostess explained the afternoon’s activities. We would be making champagne cupcakes (YUM) and then we’d battle it out to make the best gingerbread bride and groom. Even the reluctant bakers had a good time, one girl half joked it was probably because the lovely ladies were cleaning up after us. It was so much fun and definitely perfect for our bride-to-be. I’m looking forward to trying out their other cooking classes too!

I’ll never get sick of going to Te Papa. I aways take out of towners - make them stand in the earthquake house and then show them the colossal squid. They love it! It’s also the perfect rainy day hide out and entry’s free! They also have great exhibitions and events where you’re bound to learn something!

I love going to this beautiful building to look at their beautiful artwork. They have a great selection of contemporary works by both local and international artists. Their Nikau Cafe is amazing too.

A labyrinth of second hand books, poetry and pamphlets on the pre-war Communism Party of New Zealand. I'm not kidding. Whilst admittedly this last item may only be of interest to history nerds like myself, you'll be sure to find what you're looking for in what is perhaps the largest volume of books in the city. A hard working bunch too; this gang seem to be open whenever I walk past, meaning there'll always be time to pick up your next read. 

One of the most chic bars in the city. Inauspiciously located above BK on Courtenay Place, the Library is a hive of low-fi, urban decadence that Wellington does best. Lavishly decorated with, believe it or not, books from head to toe, the Library is a moody, solemn bar in the week, before thankfully shedding some of its super-serious persona on the weekend. Imaginative cocktails and 2 for 1 desserts on Tuesdays should keep you coming back for more.

Wellington's most authentic second-hand bookshop. Making your way around the maze-like shop is an experience in itself, with giant tombs and slender works of poetry, mostly alphabetised, stacked right to the ceiling. The quintessential literary classics are here, accompanied by a substantial NZ section and a fantastic, if somewhat small, poetry section, which features some really unusual works. Tucked away on Left Bank Arcade, finding a dusty old copy of a book you've been meaning to read and then propping yourself in a quiet corner of a Cuba Street cafe for an hour or so is a true delight.

A place of refuge on a rainy day. An impressive array of books, CDs to hire and a thorough selection of rare textbooks useful for your studies. Replete with a cosy cafe serving piping hot soups, the library is an inexpensive (free!) way to pass a few spare hours in the CBD.

There is nothing like digging through the many marvelous mounds of yet-to-be-found treasures in the David N White gallery to pass a few free hours in the Cuba part of town.

…or more specifically the graphic novel section round the back. Picking one at random and having a leaf through has always been my go-to way of getting through those awkward 20-to-40 minutes gaps, to small to do anything proper but too long to just mess around on your phone, you can find yourself in in the central city between meetings or bits of work. Comics have been shown to be the most efficient form of media in terms of time consumption, so it’s a breeze to finish a whole book in that time (well, go over a hundred pages and there’ll be a problem) making the gap a culturally accomplished one.

**** there any sweeter a torture than browsing through Unity remember all the books you should have bought and read by now? Reminding yourself of all the literary culture you’ve failed to keep up with is a genuinely great way to spend a spare ten to twenty minutes in the Lampton end of town. You might even come out of it with some new reading material.

It may seem a bit touristy but once you get over your own sense of uncool, there is a bunch of stuff to do there. Yeah, while it may not actually be nearly as educational as it aspires to be (and the removal of the library was a pretty dumb move by all accounts), that’s not what you want to do anyway. You want to go on all the silly little games and get really good at them. It’s much more fun than you’d think and because most of them are still free you can, I’ve found get a good hour of free (if somewhat ironic) entertainment out of a dawdle through the Paps.

Zealandia is an awesome place for kids to learn all about our little country’s precious biodiversity. The night tours are super cool, and are a chance to see some rare species (like spotted kiwi and tuatara) in their prime.

There are heaps of events on offer for your little ones at the Wellington Library. From ukeleles to live illustration demonstrations. Pop down for one of the events, or just go explore the book collection! There is no better way to escape the cold than rugged up with a good book!

The day camps at the mind lab are an awesome opportunity for kids to learn about all aspects of technology, innovation and creativity. From 3D printing, to robots, to film making, kids will be sure to be blown away!

Touring a real life chocolate factory sounds like something right out of a story book. Undoubtedly a memorable holiday activity, and very educational too. Book-in only tours are operating every Saturday during these school holidays at WCF. Get in quick!

The Wellington Zoo’s school holiday problems are never amiss. These holidays they have several day programs available, all of which have different themes, such as ‘Animal ambulance’ and ‘Fantastic Felines’. These will no doubt be very special experiences for kids of all ages. Book quickly though, spots are limited.

If your kids are talented dancers or singers (or just think they are) then they should get involved in the Kidz Stuff Theatre productions. Every school holidays they produce spectacular shows to entertain you. And don't worry, if you aren't the best actor or actress then you are welcome to just show up to watch the production anyway!

For something a little different these school holidays why not introduce your kids to the underwater world? Kids as young as 10 can learn to dive in a safe environment (and heated pool) with the PADI dive experts at NZ Sea Adventures. They will learn all the necessary skills including first aid and learning to swim properly. It only takes 3 days to become qualified and best of all, you only need to bring togs and a towel and they provide the rest.

We are surrounded by water every day of our lives in NZ but there are still so many that cannot swim. This school holidays help your kids be safe in the water by giving them swimming lessons in Wellington. The intensive learn to swim holiday program at Little Makos will give them, and you, the confidence to be around water over the summer months.

If you're sick of the kids pulling the pots and pans out of the cupboards at 7am on a Sunday morning while you're trying to have a sleep in then it might be time to invest in some school holiday music lessons. Jonny and the talented team at Goodtime Music Academy will teach you kids to attack the axe, pound the piano and crash the cymbals, all in the peace of their studios and not your house.

If your little Princess was inspired by Kate last week then it's time to send her to the Twinklepink school holiday programme. For these April school holidays in Wellington the team are putting on their fun "Fantasy Food" classes. The girls will get to spend time with their friends learning how to make edible jewellery, fantastic cupcake decorations and other fanciful food fit for a Queen.

You can spend hours lost in this amazing book store and pick up anything from a physics text book to a bird watching manual.

If you’re looking for a rare New Zealand classic novel, or something about spoons made in Vienna during the reign of Franz Joseph I you’re in luck. Ferret has it all. This eclectic but impressive range of secondhand books will drive any book nut wild.

When I go into Unity, I end up either a) spending at least three hours in there browsing the huge selection of thought provoking reads or b) buy about a million books so I can read them at home. Either way I am never disatisfied by the outcome of entering this Wellington institution.

Having floor to ceiling bookshelves filled with tomes of wisdom and knowledge is a not so secret dream of mine, but sadly not a reality. Enter Parsons books. This nook of intelligent book choices down Lambton is a sanctuary of awesomeness in an otherwise busy part of town. Check out their wide selection of books then pop up stairs to enjoy it with a cuppa.

The smell of old books is truly intoxicating. It fires the synapses in my brain telling me that learning and knowledge must be somewhere in the near vicinity. So when you walk into Quilters be prepared for you brain to go into knowledge hungry overdose. The huge collection of preloved books and the cosy nook down Ghuznee street is sure to lure you in.

Whitcoulls Cuba offers friendly staff and good quality stationery and books. They often have stock clearance sales and I picked up a very good quality floral photo album for just $10 (I think that's what you'd call a bargain!). The store is nice and bright and it's easy to find your way around - or if you're looking for something special, ask one of the friendly staff - they're always keen for a chat too.

Got to be one of the best bookshops in Welly! My favourite are the launches they have for fantastic New Zealand literature - most recently, the launch for Eleanor Catton’s "The Luminaries", short-listed for the Man Booker Prize. I’ve also seen Jan Wagner speak here, a showcase of exciting new poetry. The travel section is also excellent. A great place to pick up a gift for to impress.

Great books at great prices. Last time I was in Arty Bee’s I got talking to the very interesting guy on the front desk - we discussed chess, a conversation that got started when I picked up a book about chess on the counter. He was super friendly. The staff here love to read and are keen to help you out. I’m always in this shop with my partner and we’ve picked up all manner of interesting reads at great prices. I also love the foreign languages section upstairs. Check it out!

Another fantastic Wellington bookstore. It’s a beautifully laid-out shop, with the books lining the walls and just waiting for you to pick them up and take them home. Particularly good is the CD collection here, including Goons shows and classical music. I’ve ordered books here before and they always arrive promptly. Just a great store!

Hidden away in Left Bank, real book-lovers know that this is a secret that’s about to get out. Pegasus is a well-stocked second-hand bookstore with a lot of gems waiting to be found at very reasonable prices.

Book Haven is one of the best second-hand book stores in Wellington, let alone Newtown. It’s not the largest shop, but it’s well-curated and well-organised – and the proprietor is knowledgeable, helpful and down for a chat. The prices, too, are reasonable.

While it’s obviously more expensive than the many secondhand bookstores in Wellington, you can’t go past Unity Books on Willis St for its selection. It’s so beautifully curated that you’re bound to find something to add to your wishlist, no matter where your interests lie, and it’s a great first-stop for the friend or relative who’s impossible to shop for. Moreover, the staff are fantastically knowledgeable, and can help you track down even the most obscure tomes.

Quilters Bookshop can be a bit intimidating because of its considerable size and somewhat haphazard organisation, but the proprietor is always willing and able to help you navigate the shelves. In particular, it’s got a great range of rare, old and hard-to-find books and even prints. Its adjoining Milk Crate Cafe is an excellent place to break from browsing.

Ferret Bookshop has something of everything: there’s bound to be something that piques your interest if you put the time into looking for it. Like Quilters Bookshop on Ghuznee St, it has a great range of old, rare and hard-to-find books.

I've been coming to this store for a very long time. Over that very long time, a few things haven't changed. Out the gate, the science fiction and fantasy section has always been incredibly diverse, and the staff have always been knowledgeable and friendly. It's also always been pretty amazing what turns up in the secondhand section, and how cheap said titles usually are. Arty Bee's Books was crucial in the development of my love affair with the writing of Octavia E Butler, William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Ian McDonald and H.P Lovecraft. I can't recommend this two story complex of awesome enough.

I've been a regular at Graphic Comics for a few years now. I originally ended up there after backtracking from AMC's The Walking Dead television show to the graphic novel series of the same name it's based on. Graphic Comics just have the most remarkable collection of stock, and crucially for me, a whole bunch of amazing stuff that doesn't involve men in tights fighting other men in tights and masks (ie: superhero comics). Graphic Comics introduced me to incredible graphic novels like Scalped, Love and Rockets, DMZ, The Boys, and the remarkable Humanoids, Pantheon and Cinebooks publishing lines. Incredible storylines and incredible art, what's not to love? The staff are fantastic as well; considered and knowledgeable.

Within the local magazine store game, Magnetix Magazines is one of the last real shops standing. A well assembled magazine is a true joy to have, hold, read through and learn from. Magnetix understand this, and stock a dizzying array of titles across a dizzying array of interests. I generally pick up a few arts and music publications a month here. I just can't get by without a new copy of The Wire or Frieze.

Unity Books is a truly world class bookstore. Between their amazingly curated specialist sections, the impressively well read staff, and the regularity with which they throw important local literature events in-store, it's pretty easy to fall in love with the place. Unity Book's fiction and music book sections have always been a go-to for me. I got familiar with the works of Murakami, Lauren Beukes, Paolo Bacigalupi and plenty of other crucial authors here. I look forward to discovering more on my next visit.

Specialising in fields like Poetry, Philosophy, Mythology Literary Fiction, Modern Classics, Spiritual Paths, Art, Music, Classics (Greek and Roman), Architecture and Design, Pegasus Books is this close to being that enchanted bookstore from that movie you used to always watch as a child, the one you loved dearly, but just can't remember the title of. The space is well organised and maintained, the prices are reasonable, and regardless of your focus, you'll pretty much always find something worth focusing some attention on.

I buy all my greeting cards here - they’re so cute and quirky, just like everything else for sale in this wee boutique. Take your lady in to check out the art - you might end up taking a piece home.

City Gallery’s exhibitions always wow, and change regularly so there’s always something exciting and new from local or international artists - and usually free. Pop into Nikau next door for a bite or a drink pre or post-show.

Well-worth a trip out to the Hutt! The Dowse regularly hosts exciting exhibitions by international and Kiwi artists, with so much more than just canvases on a wall (think: fashion, multimedia, sculptures and structures).

A great spot to see locally-grown art and theatre. Friends and strangers regularly exhibit artworks in the downstairs gallery space, which is a great spot for an opening with wine and crowds, while the large upstairs area has plenty of room for performances.

An excellent central spot to check out new art (or exhibit, if you’re on that end of the canvas). It’s spacious, well laid-out and has hosted some of my favourite exhibitions - including, until recently, World Press Photo.

All the best new and classic books. Great service and a discount card.

Try a cooking class and learn a new dish

Quiz night every Tuesday