Miramar' means "behold the sea" or "wonderful sea" in Spanish, and was thus named by the first settler on Watt's Peninsula area, resident James Coutts Crawford, who arrived in Wellington in 1840.
The suburb is most known for its film industry. Film director Sir Peter Jackson and his colleagues Sir Richard Taylor and Jamie Selkirk have built a series of multi-million dollar studios, sound stages, and pre- and post-production facilities in Miramar. It has been hailed by Mexican film director Guillermo del Toro as "Hollywood the way God intended it".
Miramar is home to six primary schools, the soccer club 'Miramar Rangers' and a wide range of eating establishments including the popular Mexican taqueria "La Boca Loca" and the award winning Café Polo.
In March 2011 the old Capitol theatre on Park Road was completely refurbished and reopened as 'The Roxy'. The interior is art deco inspired and was designed and created by a team from Weta Workshop.
Check out the directory for more information on what Miramar has to offer.