New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Government complex in Thorndon, New Zealand

The New Zealand Parliament Buildings bring together four separate structures in the Thorndon neighborhood: Parliament House, the Beehive, the Parliamentary Library, and Bowen House across Bowen Street. Each building serves its own function and together forms the center of government work in Wellington.

After the 1907 fire destroyed the original wooden parliament, John Campbell designed the current Parliament House, completed in 1922. The Beehive came later and opened in 1977 as an addition for ministerial offices and cabinet rooms.

The building carries the nickname Beehive because its round shape resembles a wicker basket for bees. Visitors can walk through the main hall today and see the chambers where elected members debate and vote on laws.

Free guided tours run daily through Parliament House, the Beehive, and the library, with entry through the visitor center. It helps to arrive early in the day as tour spots are limited and no reservation is available.

The Beehive was conceived by Scottish architect Sir Basil Spence in 1964 and largely designed by the Ministry of Works; Queen Elizabeth II opened it in 1977. Its ten storeys reach 72 metres, with the Cabinet room on the top floor and the prime minister's office directly below. In the late 1990s a plan to move it behind Parliament House and finish the 1911 design was dropped after public opposition and cost concerns.