Unnoticed by Auckland or perhaps the rest of the country, Wellington marked a milestone this year. It is 150 years since the seat of government moved there from Auckland. Just as well it did. What would be the point of Wellington without Parliament Buildings, the high roosts of senior public servants and the good shops, coffee bars and cultural events their salaries and taste sustain?
Somebody should tell Wellington to embrace its fate, not try to be anything other than the capital. Mayor Celia Wade-Brown makes a strenuous case for its wider potential on our pages today, arguing Wellington is to Auckland what Edinburgh is to Glasgow or San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Why not Washington? There is a capital that has embraced its fate in stately style. Washington would never adopt a slogan "absolutely, positively" or "Wellywood", let alone put it on the landscape for everyone to see.
And the impression is not helped if they come into the city through the Mt Victoria tunnel. Wellington is looking shabby. The city centre is better, particularly the waterfront on a fine day. Oriental Bay has always looked superb in sunshine and the port area now converted to boardwalks and public spaces has been a lesson to Auckland.