Alarm went off at 4.45am! D&L immediately up & dressed & finished last bits of packing. Dragged kids sleepily out of bed, got them dressed, cleaned teeth & into the car. Got to the check in at 5.15, then sat in line, waiting to board, eating breakfast, & watching dawn break. Very easy crossing - no swell - we mostly read with occasional forays out into the bright but windy morning. Highlight of the crossing: a pod of ~8 dusky dolphins swimm...

Relaxed start to the day - kids played in the park after b/fast while L did some washing & hung it out to dry. Nice sunny start to the day! Drove into Wellington & parked by the Botanical Gardens. Walked through the gardens, via another kids play area, to the cable car, with great views of the city and surrounding hills. Rode the cable car into the centre of the city & discovered a park with a great slide for the kids! Spent the day at Te Papa...