Capital of Kai

On now until 6 September.

Capital of Kai: How Wellington became a culinary paradise  

Wellington Museum’s latest exhibition celebrates the hard mahi of generations of food creatives and restaurant and café workers who have enriched the lives of Wellingtonians with a diversity of cuisine.  

Spanning 100 years of Wellington tastemakers, this exhibition explores how Wellington developed a diverse palette with hospo treasures from The Green Parrot’s griddle to Hiakai’s backlit signage. A smorgasbord of culinary history, you’ll get up close to dining paraphernalia of Pōneke past including Il Casino’s couch, Shanghai’s 1980s menu, The Matterhorn cafe’s cowbell and more. 

Arohanui to Blue Carrot Catering and Parrotdog for supporting this exhibition. 

Capital of Kai is free to visit for New Zealand residents. International visitor fees apply. 

Images:
Opening day of the Rosanna Lounge, 16 April 1958. Dennis Boulieris and staff at the counter. Image courtesy of the Boulieris family.
Sheep skin covered menu from The Woolshed restaurant, early 1970s. Donated by Lorraine Moloney. Image Wellington Museum.
Cona Coffee machine, 1950s. Donated by Craig Miller. Image by Matt Henry.
 
 

Capital of Kai

Saturday 30 May–Sunday 6 September

Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum 

Open daily 10am–5pm

 

Hungry for more? Feed your curiosity with our museum tours: 

Wellington Walking Tour

Saturdays | 9:30am–1pm

Welcome to Wellington Tour

Daily | Tours begin on the hour 10am–3pm