My Wellington: Swee Tan
Dr Swee Tan is a world-renowned researcher and plastic surgeon who has lived in Khandallah for 26 years. Born in Malaysia, Tan travelled the world before settling in the capital, where he heads up the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute. Here’s his take on life in the capital.
How long have you been a Wellingtonian?
I was here in 1992 when I was doing my training in plastic surgery. We lived here for one year and then went overseas to London, then Oxford and Boston, and then came back in 1995. I was born in Malaysia, and left in 1980. I went to Melbourne, where I studied, and then I went to Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington. I resisted coming to Wellington because I went through Wellington in 1987 – it was a dead place, there was no restaurant open after 7pm.
Where is your favourite place to eat out?
We are very lucky to have good eating places. Yum cha at Dragons, for example, is one of our favourites. There are so many choices. Noble Rot is a very good place for dinner. If you are after brunch, Cafe Thyme next to the Twigland Garden Centre, which is my favourite garden centre. It’s between Johnsonville and Churton Park.
Where is the best coffee in Wellington?
You put me in a difficult position because in Wellington we have so many great places for coffee. Prefab is great, or Neo Cafe, and Revive in Petone. You can get good coffee anywhere really, but those are really great spot.
What’s an underrated attraction near you?
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is the only public botanical garden dedicated to native plants, and they are really nice: about 11 kilometres, with many bushes and gardens. We used to take our children there when they were younger. There is a stream there with eels, beautiful eels, an 800-year-old rimu tree and a nice canopy of trees. It is only five minutes away [from the city], it is right here on our doorstep.
What, in Wellington, can’t be beaten on a good day?
Walking along the waterfront with Maestro [Tan’s dog] along the path that takes you to Oriental Pde. It is such a beautiful place.
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
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Community Expo 7 March 2026 - Tawa Plaza
The stage is set for our Community Expo on Saturday, 7 March. Join us to discover 21 of Tawa's finest organisations and clubs.
Who will be there, you ask? That’s who!
Wellington Emergency Management
Inner Wheel Tawa
Tawa Historical Society
Pest Free Tawa
Rotary Tawa
Kapi Mana Bridge Club
Tawa Learners Band
Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library
Easy Swim School
Salvation Army
Girl Guiding New Zealand
Friends of Tawa Bush Reserve
Tawa Community Board
Tawa Community Patrol
Tawa RSA
Tawa Scouts
Tawa Recreation Centre
Kiwi Community Assistance
U3A
White Rose Wellington Morris
Fire Brigade Tawa See less
Our Lady of Hope Parish
St Christopher Church
Community Gardens
Irish Interest Group Lower North Island’s Education Day 28 March 2026
Join the Irish Interest Group Lower North Island’s Education Day for a presentation from Charlotte Macdonald, professor of history at Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka presenting a talk based on her newly published book “Garrison Wild” followed after lunch (BYO) by Jacqui Bridges with “The two sides of Irish soldier settlers in New Zealand.”
Where: Tawa Union Church, 6 Elena Pl, Tawa
When: Sat 28 March, 10.00 a.m – 2 p.m
Please book on-line at www.trybooking.com...
In person: $10 members / $18 non-members
Contact: Irish.LowerNIsig@genealogy.org.nz
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