Parliament House, Wellington, Neoclassical government building in Wellington, New Zealand
Parliament House is an Edwardian neoclassical building faced with Tākaka marble over a base course of Coromandel granite. Its front has a colonnade of ten columns and a long flight of steps to the main entrance. The interior centres on the debating chamber, with rimu-panelled walls and green leather seats and carpets.
The first Parliament House burned down on 11 December 1907, leaving only the library standing. Prime Minister Joseph Ward announced a design competition in February 1911; the winning entry by government architect John Campbell combined two of his submissions. Construction of the first stage began in 1914, members moved in during 1918 while work continued, and the building was finished in 1922. The planned second stage was never built.
The debating chamber has rimu-panelled walls, and its leather seats and carpets are green in memory of the British House of Commons; the former Legislative Council chamber, now used for state functions such as the opening of Parliament, has a pūriri canopy, Italian marble columns and red carpets recalling the House of Lords. In front of the steps stand two carved pou of Ngake and Whātaitai and three mōuri markers, installed in 2023.
The House offers free guided tours to visitors, and everyone must pass through security screening before entering the complex. It helps to allow time for the security process, especially during busy periods.
Two carved wooden pou depicting Ngake and Whātaitai stand at the front since 2023. These figures show the connection to Māori tradition of harbor guardians.
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