Victoria also has a physical presence in Wellington’s heart. The Pipitea Campus includes the Law School in Lambton Quay’s historic Government Buildings near Parliament; Rutherford House, near the Law School, which houses the Centre for Continuing Education and a number of Schools within the Faculty of Commerce and Administration; and the West Wing of Wellington Railway Station. The Te Aro Campus encompasses the Schools of Architecture and Design near upper Cuba Street - in the midst of the cafes, galleries and old bookstores of Wellington’s liveliest quarter.
Victoria was created in the last years of the 19th century to fill the vacuum that existed in the capital for a centre of tertiary learning. It has carried out this duty with distinction for the last 108 years - Victoria celebrated its centennial in 1999 - providing many thousands of young New Zealanders with the means to extend their knowledge and intellectual capabilities.
Over the years, besides producing a stream of quality graduates who become important contributors to the community, Victoria’s impact on the Wellington region has grown in other ways. Two key aspects are the research carried out at Victoria and the university's contribution to Wellington's thriving arts and cultural scene.
The research achievements of academic staff and research students, many working on New Zealand-specific projects, have helped extend the nation’s knowledge and understanding. Victoria is closely allied to the Crown Research Institutes, and has also forged excellent links with government agencies. Partnerships often involve the sharing of both facilities and research projects. For example, staff and students from the School of Biological Sciences are active in a number of research projects at the Otari Native Botanic Garden and the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, two large conservation enterprises within a few kilometres of the Kelburn campus.
Other contributions are the cultural richness that the University's activities bring to the city, the energy and vibrancy of the large student population, the kudos and wide interest that an internationally recognised University attracts, and the important contributions staff make in the areas of community service and policy advice, to both the nation and the region.
As well as government departments and commissions, many of the leading multinational finance and business houses have their head offices in Wellington. Many have been involved in active partnerships in research and sponsorship with Victoria and its staff for many years. The School of Government caters to the educational needs of managers and policy analysts, in Wellington and nationally. Victoria's Crime and Justice Research Centre, unique in New Zealand, is the country's leading provider of contract criminology research. It maintains close links with the police, judiciary, Māori groups, probation service, medical professionals and politicians interested in legislative changes.