Beehive, Executive wing of Parliament Buildings in Wellington, New Zealand
This government office stands as the executive wing of Parliament Buildings in the capital, rising through ten circular floors beneath a copper roof. The structure houses ministerial offices, conference rooms and reception spaces used for official functions.
Sir Basil Spence from Scotland designed this modernist office in 1964, with building work finishing in stages between 1969 and 1981. The construction replaced earlier government premises and introduced a new architectural approach to the capital.
The name comes from the building's resemblance to a traditional woven skep beehive, and since 1992 the Beehive has appeared on the New Zealand twenty-dollar note. The nickname is also used as a metonym for the government itself, with "the 9th floor" meaning the prime minister's office. Cabinet meets on the top floor.
Guided tours take visitors through parliamentary chambers and ministerial areas, offering a look at how government works in New Zealand. These tours cover several levels and last around an hour, with security checks required at entry.
The entry foyer features marble floors, stainless steel mesh on the walls and a translucent glass ceiling that lets daylight filter through in shifting patterns. These materials were chosen to signal openness and modernity in the seat of government.
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