Government Buildings (1876)
New Zealand centralises its government
These massive wooden offices, the world’s second largest wooden building, symbolise the beginning of effective centralised government in New Zealand. Colonial Architect William Clayton wanted to build in ‘permanent’ materials, but penny-pinching forced him to mimic stone by using sand mixed with paint on the mock stone cornices, Doric columns, window mouldings and quoins. An incredible 2053 cubic metres of timber went into the building, which emerged over 1875-76 on its own reclamation near the edge of Wellington Harbour. When completed it housed 600 civil servants; almost everyone needed to run the government from the capital. Politicians brushed frock coats with civil servants in the corridor, for well into the 20th century the Executive Council also met here. In wartime the governor-general also had an office here.
The building was enlarged twice but it could never keep up with public sector growth. One by one the departments moved out, leaving the Education Department to turn out the light. Government Buildings lay empty until 1994, when the Department of Conservation began restoration. It is highly authentic, although in keeping with the fakery of the original construction, the chimneys on the roof are earthquake-friendly fibreglass replicas. Victoria University’s law school now uses the building, but several rooms have been set up for public viewing. Don’t miss the magnificent kauri ‘hanging stairs’ or the replica rat in the vault.
Related places
Out front a bronze statue of Prime Minister Peter Fraser strides off to Parliament into the teeth of a northerly. Follow his lead and cross the road to the Parliamentary complex of buildings and statues. The House of Representatives offers regular free guided tours.
Further information
This site is item number 48 on the History of New Zealand in 100 Places list.
On the ground
There are interpretation signs in the grounds and several rooms feature displays of the building’s history.
Community contributions