Government House, Wellington
Encyclopedia
Government House in Newtown
, Wellington, New Zealand is the principal residence of the Governor-General of New Zealand
. It was designed by Claude Paton in the office of John Campbell, Government Architect. Built between 1908 and 1910, the house's grounds total 12 ha, and the house is 4200 m². There are 27 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms in total including staff quarters as well as a ballroom
, various sitting rooms, state room
s, service rooms and wing office
s, all of which are tended to by about 30 staff. The grounds, which have been endorsed as a 'garden of National Significance' covers some 12ha and includes a police lodge at the main gate. Other outdoor facilities include a tennis court
, and pavilion
, swimming pool
, bomb-shelter
, squash court, and eight external cottage
s.
Located at 1 Rugby Street at the southern end of the Basin Reserve
, it counts amongst its neighbours a hospital (Wellington Hospital
) and a high school (Wellington College
). The main Rugby Street entrance has a guard house
and a large flag-pole, from which the Flag of New Zealand
flies. When the Governor-General is in the residence his flag flies from the flagpole on the top of Government House.
The upkeep of the house is the responsibility of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
. As such, supply and maintenance for the Governor-General's office falls within Prime Minister's department.
In 2010 the House celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Newtown, New Zealand
The suburb of Newtown lies in the southern part of Wellington in New Zealand. The population at the last census was recorded as 8,409.The suburb lies east of Vogeltown, between Mount Cook and Berhampore...
, Wellington, New Zealand is the principal residence of the Governor-General of New Zealand
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
. It was designed by Claude Paton in the office of John Campbell, Government Architect. Built between 1908 and 1910, the house's grounds total 12 ha, and the house is 4200 m². There are 27 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms in total including staff quarters as well as a ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
, various sitting rooms, state room
State room
A state room in a large European mansion is usually one of a suite of very grand rooms which were designed to impress. The term was most widely used in the 17th and 18th centuries. They were the most lavishly decorated in the house and contained the finest works of art...
s, service rooms and wing office
Office
An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the...
s, all of which are tended to by about 30 staff. The grounds, which have been endorsed as a 'garden of National Significance' covers some 12ha and includes a police lodge at the main gate. Other outdoor facilities include a tennis court
Tennis court
A tennis court is where the game of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both doubles and singles.-Dimensions:...
, and pavilion
Pavilion (structure)
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
, swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
, bomb-shelter
Air-raid shelter
Air-raid shelters, also known as bomb shelters, are structures for the protection of the civil population as well as military personnel against enemy attacks from the air...
, squash court, and eight external cottage
Cottage
__toc__In modern usage, a cottage is usually a modest, often cozy dwelling, typically in a rural or semi-rural location. However there are cottage-style dwellings in cities, and in places such as Canada the term exists with no connotations of size at all...
s.
Located at 1 Rugby Street at the southern end of the Basin Reserve
Basin Reserve
The Basin Reserve , is a cricket ground in Wellington, New Zealand, used for Test, first-class and one-day cricket. Some argue that its proximity to the city, its Historic Place status and its age make it the most famous cricket ground in New Zealand...
, it counts amongst its neighbours a hospital (Wellington Hospital
Wellington Hospital, New Zealand
Wellington Hospital is Wellington, New Zealand's main hospital located in the suburb of Newtown. It is the main hospital run by Capital & Coast District Health Board , the others including Kapiti Health Centre, and Kenepuru Hospital...
) and a high school (Wellington College
Wellington College (New Zealand)
Wellington College is a state secondary school for boys in Mount Victoria in Wellington, New Zealand.-History:Wellington College opened in 1867 as Wellington Grammar School in Woodward Street, though Sir George Grey gave the school a deed of endowment in 1853. In 1874 it opened at its present...
). The main Rugby Street entrance has a guard house
Guardhouse
A guardhouse is a building used to house personnel and security equipment...
and a large flag-pole, from which the Flag of New Zealand
Flag of New Zealand
The flag of New Zealand is a defaced Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton, and four red stars with white borders to the right. The stars represent the constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross....
flies. When the Governor-General is in the residence his flag flies from the flagpole on the top of Government House.
The upkeep of the house is the responsibility of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (New Zealand)
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet of New Zealand is the department charged with supporting the Prime Minister of New Zealand and their Cabinet...
. As such, supply and maintenance for the Governor-General's office falls within Prime Minister's department.
Refurbishment and centenary
The House closed in October 2008 for a major $44 million conservation and rebuilding project and was reopened in March 2011. During the refurbishment the Governor General lived at Vogel House in Lower Hutt while in Wellington.In 2010 the House celebrated its 100th anniversary.
See also
- Government HouseGovernment HouseGovernment House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
- Government Houses of New ZealandGovernment Houses of New ZealandThis is a list of Government Houses in New Zealand.* Old Government House, Auckland* Government House, Auckland* Government House, Wellington...
- Government Houses of the British Empire
- Governor-General of New ZealandGovernor-General of New ZealandThe Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....