Changes in New Zealand's economy since 1984 discussed in the city profile of Auckland (May 1989) highlighted the effect on the social and economic fabric of the country, which also affects other major cities such as Wellington. This city profile considers recent changes in the urban environment of Wellington City rather than the wider metropolitan urban region. Wellington, like Auckland, has experienced many of the changes associated with international trends in retailing (eg the growth of out of town retailing and the development of shopping malls) and suburban development together with social changes which are well documented in the Auckland city profile. For this reason, changes to the central city of Wellington are the main focus of this profile in view of its significance as an administrative, commercial and centre of government. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.