Fast Facts

American Express -- The foreign exchange bureau is in the Cable Car complex, 280-292 Lambton Quay (tel. 04/473-7766; fax 04/473-7765). It's open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5pm.

Area Code -- Wellington's telephone area code (STD) is 04.

Babysitters -- Most hotels and B&Bs can arrange babysitters, or you can call Wellington Nanny Connections at tel. 04/384-1135.

Dentist -- For 24-hour service, phone tel. 04/801-5551.

Doctor -- For emergency doctor referrals, call tel. 04/472-2999.

Embassies & Consulates -- The U.S. Embassy is at 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon (tel. 04/462-6000); the Canadian High Commission is at 61 Molesworth St. (tel. 04/473-9577); and the British High Commission is at 44 Hill St. (tel. 04/924-2888).

Emergencies -- Dial tel. 111 to call the police, report a fire, or request an ambulance.

Hospitals -- Wellington Hospital is on Riddiford Street, Newtown (tel. 04/385-5999).

Internet Access -- The Email Shop, 175 Cuba St. (tel. 04/384-1534), has a full range of Internet and computer services; it's open daily from 9am to 10pm. It also has outlets at the Wellington i-SITE Visitor Information Centre. For other options, try Cybernomad, 43 Courtenay Place (tel. 04/801-5964), which offers high-speed Internet service, or Cyber Spot Internet, 180 Lambton Quay (tel. 04/473-0098).

Newspapers -- Wellington's morning newspaper, the Dominion, and evening paper, the Evening Post, are both published Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, get the best paper in the country, the Sunday Star Times. Overseas newspapers are sometimes available at newsstands and in the reading room of the National Library, Molesworth Street (tel. 04/474-3000).

Pharmacies -- There are late-night pharmacies at 17 Adelaide Rd., Wellington (tel. 04/384-4944), and 729 High St., Lower Hutt (tel. 04/567-5345).

Post Office -- The main post office is at 7 Waterloo Quay (tel. 04/496-4065). Collect poste restante mail at NZ Post, 43 Manners St. (tel. 04/473-5922). New Zealand Post shops are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.