If you spend any time in Wellington’s online community, chances are you’ve come across Love Wellington. The Facebook group, started by Kathy Hague, has quickly become a vibrant hub for locals to share photos, stories, and favorite spots around the city. But who is the woman behind this fast-growing community?

From Yacht-Born to Wellington Explorer

Kathy didn’t grow up in a house. The photographer arrived in this world aboard a 28-foot yacht, somewhere between Italy and the open ocean. She grew up on that yacht, then in Whangārei, and later circled the globe solo as a backpacker. Moreover, she learned to see beauty everywhere, from storm-lit seas to quiet backstreets, and developed a photographer’s eye ready for Wellington’s many moods.

What Love Wellington Has Become

Love Wellington now belongs to hundreds of people who share photos, hideouts, local cafés, beach views, and favorite walks. It isn’t formal; it’s organic. Kathy encourages everyone to post their Wellington finds. The group thrives because members feel part of something that celebrates the ordinary and the sublime side by side.

Local Favorites & Tools of the Trade

Kathy picks her spots carefully. Coene’s grabs her heart for its views and cocktails. Scorching Bay wins for swim and coffee combos. She shoots with a waterproof iPhone because Wellington’s wind and rain often arrive unannounced. Rain pants and waterproof tramping boots? Always in her photo kit.

She draws inspiration from Wellington’s online community. Moreover, Kathy names Ryan Street, Michael Meads, Daniel Talbot, and Graham Bloxham as people who guided and supported her. Additionally, she admires photographer Simon Woolf and seeks to learn more through her own work.

The Goal: Explore, Share, Inspire

Kathy doesn’t plan rigidly. She follows the weather, wind direction, and whatever feels new. This adventure-loving lady always wants to bring Wellington’s hidden and less-seen corners into view: alleys, coastal outcrops, murals, and walks at sunrise. She also loves music, often pairing songs with her photos, and believes tunes make images more alive.

Moreover, she says community likes and comments give her confidence. She posts not just pictures but stories: small moments, friendly faces, café windows, and misty hillsides, things that Wellingtonians recognize.

Why Love Wellington Matters Now

In a time when cities feel fast and digital, Love Wellington slows things down. It reminds people to walk, look, and appreciate the choppy sea, the changing light, and the scent after rain. This platform connects folks: someone shares a photo, and others respond with suggestions or memories. It builds belonging.

For Wellington, that sense of belonging matters. The group reminds us the city isn’t just big names and big events. It’s also small corners, shared sunsets, and kindness. Kathy’s photos, posts, and invites make people stop, scroll, and love where they live.