Home is ... sea and Patrisha’s Pies
Safua Akeli Amaama is head of the New Zealand and Pacific histories and cultures curatorial team at Te Papa. Here are a few of her favourite spots in Wellington, as told to Finn Blackwell.
Howlong have you been a Wellingtonian?
My family moved to Wellington from Samoa in the 1980s, when I was five. It’s always been home for me here and most of my life has been around Wellington and the coast, which I love.
Where is the best coffee in the city?
That’s a hard one. Te Papa cafe is very good, but also Raglan Roast. We have a group that goes there as well. It’s a nice time for everyone to get together. It’s a five-minute walk [from Te Papa], so that’s where I get my coffee.
What’s an under-rated Wellington attraction?
There are so many places. One of the ones that I’m looking forward to visiting in a few weeks is Matiu/ Somes Island. That’s got an amazing history and biodiversity. That’s one that comes to mind. But Wellington also has lovely tracks. Our family has started exploring one of those tracks that starts in Island Bay.
What is your Wellington happy place?
Growing up around Miramar, I’ve always been drawn to the coast, to the sea. I love Karaka Bays, Scorching Bay, Shelly Bay. Seeing the sea and the ocean, it’s a really refreshing space for me. Those are the key ones that I think about.
Howdo you get around the city?
I do a lot more walking now, to exercise. Probably, mostly walking and bus transport. Only on rainy days, I’ll bring the car. But, Wellington is so easy to get around, the bus comes straight down the road. Mobility is pretty easy.
What’s your go-to-Wellington food place?
I’ve got a few snack spots, some of them not entirely healthy. There’s yum cha, you can go there by yourself or as a group and it’s always busy and lovely in there. Just last week we checked out Ortega’s for a nice lunch gettogether and that was lovely. I love Patrisha’s Pies in Island Bay with that homemade feeling that comes with good-quality pies.
What, in Wellington, can’t be beaten on a good day?
The view of the harbour. There’s something about Wellington that just captures the imagination and the ebb and flow of the ocean. On nice days, I’m outside having a look at the view and just taking it all in.
This is a new regular feature in the Dominion Post on Mondays, when we ask Wellingtonians to share their secret haunts.