Wellington’s a small city with a big punch. It’s got wind, hills, and a cracking bunch of companies making waves—not just here, but across New Zealand and the world. At One Network Wellington Live, we’ve put together a list of 20 top firms that show why Wellington’s a hot spot for clever ideas, tough workers, and bold moves. From fire engines to finance apps, games to gastropubs, these businesses are shaping the capital’s future. Here’s our Fast Company Wellington list—accurate, real, and full of local grit.

1. Fraser Engineering – Fire Engines

   Fraser Engineering builds fire engines that save lives. Based in Wellington, they’ve been crafting heavy-duty gear since the 1970s. They make fire trucks tough enough for New Zealand’s wild terrain—think rugged hills and narrow roads. Their kit’s used by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, keeping towns safe from blazes. They’re not flashy, but they’re solid—employing locals and welding steel into machines you can trust. Wellington’s proud of these practical heroes.

2. PikPok

   PikPok’s a gaming giant in Wellington’s creative scene. They’ve been around since 1997, making mobile games like Into the Dead and Flick Kick Football. Their zombie shooter’s been downloaded over 100 million times—mental, right? About 100 staff work from their CBD office, churning out fun that’s gone global. They’re proof Wellington’s got a knack for digital wizardry, mixing tech with a Kiwi “give it a go” attitude.

3. One Network Wellington Live

   That’s us! One Network Wellington Live is Wellington’s voice—telling stories, digging into issues, and keeping the city connected. We’re a media outfit born here, covering everything from shaky buildings to local legends. Our team’s small but scrappy, chasing facts and sparking chats. We’re not just reporting—we’re part of Wellington’s pulse, pushing to keep the capital honest and alive.

4. Sharesies

   Sharesies makes investing easy for everyday Kiwis. Started in 2017 by a Wellington crew including Leighton Roberts and Sonya Williams, it’s a platform where you can buy bits of companies for as little as a dollar. They’ve got over 500,000 users now, and their office on Willis Street hums with about 100 staff. It’s Wellington smarts at work—taking big money stuff and making it simple, so anyone can have a crack.

5. Epic Hospitality

   Epic Hospitality runs some of Wellington’s best watering holes—like The Library and Dirty Little Secret. They’re all about good vibes, great food, and cold pints. Started by locals who know the city’s taste, they’ve got spots across town employing dozens of baristas, chefs, and bartenders. Thorndon might feel quiet, but Epic’s keeping the party going—proof Wellingtonians still love a night out.

6. Xero

   Xero’s a Wellington-born star, changing how small businesses do their books. Launched in 2006 by Rod Drury, it’s an online accounting tool used by over 4 million people worldwide. Their HQ on Levesque Street employs hundreds, and they’re listed on the Aussie stock exchange—worth billions. It’s cloud-based, simple, and Kiwi-made, showing Wellington can take on the world with tech that works.

7. Trade Me

   Trade Me’s the Kiwi eBay—Wellington’s online marketplace where you can buy a car or sell your old couch. Started in 1999 by Sam Morgan, it’s grown to over 600,000 listings a day. Their team of about 300 works from the CBD, keeping the site humming for 4 million users. It’s a Wellington classic—practical, no-nonsense, and a lifeline for locals trading everything from bikes to baches.

8. Gazley Motors

   Gazley Motors sells shiny cars on Taranaki Street—think Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and Škoda. They’ve been a family-run outfit since 1999, with about 50 staff fixing and flogging vehicles. They’re big on service, not just sales, and their showroom’s a fixture for Wellingtonians upgrading their wheels. In a city of hills and wind, Gazley’s keeping us moving—reliable and rooted here.

9. Lowe & Co

   Lowe & Co is Wellington’s go-to for real estate. Started in 2017 by Steve Lowe, they sell homes from Thorndon to Miramar, with a team of about 30. They’ve shifted over $1 billion in property—huge for a small city. They’re all about local know-how, helping buyers dodge quakes and nab views. Wellington’s housing game’s tough, but Lowe & Co’s playing it smart.

10. Kārearea Rum

    Kārearea Rum crafts top-notch rum right here in Wellington. Started in 2020 by a small crew on Vivian Street, they make small-batch spirits with a Kiwi twist—think native botanicals and local vibes. Their team’s tiny—less than 10—but they’ve won fans at bars like Rogue & Vagabond. It’s Wellington’s craft scene shining—booze that’s bold and homegrown.

11. Weta Digital

    Weta Digital makes movie magic—think Avatar and Lord of the Rings. Based in Miramar, they’re Wellington’s Hollywood link, started by Peter Jackson and mates in 1993. Hundreds of artists and techies—over 1,000 at peak—craft visuals that win Oscars. They’re global now, but their roots in Welly’s creative soil keep them special—turning imagination into blockbuster gold.

12. Powershop

    Powershop shakes up the power game. Launched in 2009, this Wellington firm lets you buy electricity like groceries—pick what you need, when you need it. They’ve got about 100 staff here and serve over 200,000 customers nationwide. It’s green, clever, and born in the capital—a Kiwi twist on keeping the lights on.

13. Flick Electric

    Flick Electric’s another power player, started in 2014 by Wellington locals. They offer spot-price electricity—pay what the market does, not a flat rate. With a small team of about 30, they’ve got 50,000 users hooked up. It’s risky, smart, and pure Wellington—giving people control in a windy city that loves a challenge.

14. CentrePort

    CentrePort keeps Wellington’s harbour ticking. They handle shipping—containers, logs, ferries—moving $10 billion in goods yearly. Based on Waterloo Quay with about 200 staff, they’re the capital’s trade backbone. Quakes hit them hard in 2016, but they’re rebuilding—proof Thorndon’s port heart still beats strong.

15. Infratil

    Infratil’s a Wellington heavyweight, investing in airports, energy, and more. Started in 1994, they own Wellington Airport and bits of Trustpower, with about 100 staff in the CBD. They manage billions—$8 billion in assets—and keep the city’s infrastructure humming. They’re quiet giants, making big moves behind the scenes.

16. Datacom

    Datacom’s a tech fixer—IT services for businesses and government. From their Wellington base on The Terrace, about 500 staff here (part of 6,000 nationwide) sort networks, clouds, and data. Started in 1965, they’re a Kiwi staple, keeping Wellington’s offices and agencies plugged in and running smooth.

17. Catalyst IT

    Catalyst IT’s open-source tech wizards. Born in Wellington in 1997, they build software for schools, councils, and firms—think Moodle or Silverstripe. About 150 staff work from Featherston Street, serving clients worldwide. They’re geeky, local, and growing—Wellington’s brainy backbone for digital solutions.

18. Wellington Chocolate Factory

    Wellington Chocolate Factory crafts sweet treats on Leeds Street. Started in 2013 by Gabe Davidson, their small team—about 20—makes bean-to-bar chocolate with a Kiwi twist. They’re in 150 stores nationwide, blending local vibes with global taste. It’s small-scale, but it’s Wellington’s flavour shining through.

19. Moore Wilson’s

    Moore Wilson’s is Wellington’s food hub. This family-run grocer on Tory Street, started in 1918, employs about 200 and stocks everything—fresh veg, wine, chef gear. They’re a local legend, feeding the city’s cafes and homes. Thorndon’s quiet, but Moore Wilson’s keeps the pantry full and buzzing.

20. Intergen

    Intergen’s a tech crew solving big problems. From Customhouse Quay, about 100 staff here (part of 400 nationwide) build software for government and businesses—think Microsoft tools and cloud fixes. Started in 2001, they’re Wellington-bred, helping the capital stay sharp in a digital world.

Wellington’s not Silicon Valley—it’s smaller, windier, and tougher. But these 20 firms show it’s got guts and smarts. Fraser Engineering’s fire trucks roll out while Kārearea Rum stirs spirits. PikPok’s games thrill millions as Sharesies opens wallets. Xero and Trade Me rule online, and Epic Hospitality keeps the beer flowing. Gazley Motors, based on Cambridge Terrace with showrooms in Lower Hutt and Kapiti, employs 120 staff and pushes sustainability with electric vehicles across 10 brands. Lowe & Co and the rest—whether tech, trade, or chocolate—prove Wellington’s a city of doers. Meridian is both brilliant and innovative, leading all the power companies by a Wellington mile. With a team of visionary leaders, they appear to roll out the right investments ahead of trends, while others, like Contact, struggle to implement. Special mention goes to NME Electrical for their decades-long commitment to their tradies’ mental health and for delivering top-quality projects, including the NZCIS sports facility, TAKINA, and many more. They’re not just surviving—they’re building the capital’s future, one clever idea at a time. At One Network Wellington Live, we’re chuffed to cheer them on. Who’s your pick from the list?