- Address: Wellington 6160, New Zealand;
- Phone: +64 4-817 9999;
- Open: from 9 to 17 hours;
- Website: parliament.nz
The building of the Parliament of New Zealand can be considered a record holder among the state institutions of the whole world - it took 77 years to build it. The construction was started in 1914, and finally completed only in 1995. Almost 70 years the parliamentarians held their meetings in an unfinished building.
History
Today the building of the Parliament of New Zealand covers an area of 4.5 hectares. However, the history of the structure is interesting and extensive. The first parliamentary house in Wellington was wooden, but in 1907 it suffered from fire - the whole remained only the Library.
Four years after the fire, the New Zealand authorities announced a competition among architects for the erection of a new Parliament House - in total more than 30 projects were submitted to it, and the proposal of D. Campbell won.
After detailed consideration of the project and drawing up of the budget, it was decided to divide the construction into two stages - at the first it was planned to build Chambers for parliamentarians, and then - to rebuild the library.
The First World War had a negative impact on New Zealand too - lack of funding forced construction to stop. Despite this, the members of Parliament still occupied new premises.
Officially, the Parliament Building of New Zealand was opened 77 years later - in 1995, and Queen Elizabeth II participated in it! Before the opening, the building was fully reconstructed.
Architectural features
The main part of the building is the House of Representatives. For its interior decoration, a natural tree was used - a unique and incredibly beautiful Tasmanian cypress.
On the floors are laid massive, but attractive carpets and paths of green color. Exactly the same tone has the upholstery of armchairs, other soft furniture used in the Chamber.
It is interesting that a special gallery is planned over the meeting room, divided into two parts - one accommodating journalists and representatives of mass media, and the second are guests and public figures following the discussion held by parliamentarians.
Executive wing
The building of the Parliament of New Zealand includes a separate Executive Wing. Above him worked architect Sir B. Spence. The construction of the wing lasted from 1964 to 1977, and the government "populated" it two years later - in 1979.
Particular attention deserves a special form of this wing - it resembles a beehive of wild bees. The Executive Wing has 10 floors, but its height exceeds 70 meters. The 10th floor is occupied by the Cabinet of Ministers, on the 9th is the Office of the Prime Minister.
It is interesting that a relatively large project was proposed relatively recently, suggesting the shift of the Executive Wing in order to give the Parliament House an original look - the one that he had before the fire of 1911, but the public did not support this idea.
Library
Includes the complex and the Library. It was built in 1899 from a stone, which allowed it to avoid what happened more than a hundred years and destroyed the old building of the fire. Therefore, it is rightfully considered the oldest "ancient" structure of this complex.
Offices of parliamentarians
The offices of parliamentarians and their assistants are located opposite the Executive Wing. To get from the office to the parliamentary building, you do not even need to go out into the street - there is a tunnel for Bowen Street.
How to get?
The Parliament building is open for free visits by tourists almost on any day, except for holidays. Excursions are held hourly in all buildings of the complex except the Executive Wing.
There is a building in the northern part of Lambton Quay, at Molesworth Street, 32.
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