Government Buildings/Courthouse, Heritage courthouse in Hokitika, New Zealand

The Government Buildings is a historic courthouse and administrative structure in Hokitika featuring banded brick construction, ornamental plaster details, and large windows throughout its facades. The building displays functional design with careful attention to exterior appearance, typical of early administrative structures in the region.

Construction took place between 1908 and 1913 under architect John Campbell, with the building initially serving as offices for the Lands and Survey Department alongside court operations. The project was modified during building work to include a statue of Richard Seddon, funded through community contributions.

The building is known locally as Seddon House, after Richard Seddon, whose statue was funded by public subscription in Hokitika and unveiled outside the partly finished building on 25 May 1910. Heritage New Zealand calls it one of the key buildings that established Edwardian Baroque as the style of government architecture in New Zealand.

The building stands on Sewell Street in central Hokitika, a short walk from the town centre. Heritage New Zealand bought it in September 2020 for $400,000 and plans seismic strengthening and refitting as Department of Conservation offices, which the department will lease. Check current access before visiting.

Architect John Campbell agreed to set the building back 20 feet (6.1 m) only to leave room for shrubs, judging the gap too small for the Seddon statue. The statue was nonetheless unveiled outside the partly finished building on 25 May 1910. The courtroom closed in the 1970s, and Heritage New Zealand bought the building in September 2020 for $400,000.