Government House

Government House in Wellington is the official residence of the Governor-General of New Zealand. Built of wood the House was designed in the office of the Government Architect, John Campbell, the designer of Parliament Buildings, principally by his assistant, Claude Paton. It was built between 1908 and 1910.
100 years later in a five year project costing $50 million, it has been seismically strengthened and remodelled following a conservation plan by Athfield Architects. The house showcases work by New Zealand designers and artists, some in the house collection and others on loan from Te Papa.
An on-line booking system allows the public to book a 2-hour tour with a well-informed and entertaining guide providing insights into the history of the house, the foibles of its distinguished inhabitants and their role in our democracy.
The tour is thoroughly worth while and allows you to see the immaculate result of the expenditure of taxpayer dollars.