Old Government House, Auckland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Government House, Auckland |
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Old Government House in 2008
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Italianate architecture |
| Location | Waterloo Quadrant |
| Town or city | Auckland |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°51′00″S 174°46′14″E / 36.849898°S 174.770442°E |
| Current tenants | University of Auckland |
| Completed | 1856 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William Mason |
| Designated: | 24 November 1983 |
| Reference #: | 105 |
The Old Government House in Auckland, New Zealand, was once the official home for the Governor of New Zealand. A Governor is like the King or Queen's representative in a country. This historic building has seen many important moments. Today, it is part of the University of Auckland.
Contents
History of the Government House
Building the First Home
The very first Government House on this spot was built for William Hobson, New Zealand's first Governor. It was a wooden house that came in pieces, made by a company in London. This company was known for making buildings that could be put together quickly.
Sadly, this first house burned down in 1848. This happened when Sir George Grey was Governor. After the fire, Governors had to live in rented houses for a while.
The Current Building's Start
The building you see today was finished in 1856. It was designed by an architect named William Mason. Auckland wanted to keep its place as New Zealand's capital city. Building a grand new Government House was one way to show its importance.
The house was built in the Italianate style. This means it looked like Italian Renaissance buildings. However, some people didn't like its design. They thought the wooden building tried too hard to look like stone.
Moving the Capital City
In 1864, the capital of New Zealand was moved from Auckland to Wellington. This meant the Government House in Auckland was not used as much. Even though the capital moved, Auckland was still an important city. So, the government kept two official homes for the Governor.
Even now, the Governor-General still spends time in both Wellington and Auckland. This shows the lasting importance of both cities.
Royal Visits and Heritage
Many important people have visited the Old Government House. Members of the Royal Family have stayed there six times. In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II even gave her Christmas speech from the house.
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The building is very special to New Zealand's history. Because of its importance, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust officially recognised it as a Category I heritage building in 1983. This means it's one of the most important historic places in the country.
Old Government House Today
Becoming Part of the University
As Auckland grew, the Old Government House started to feel crowded. New apartment buildings were built nearby. In 1969, a new, larger Government House was given to the nation in Mount Eden.
In the same year, the Old Government House on Waterloo Quadrant became part of the University of Auckland. The inside of the building has been changed over the years. It now has a more modern feel, but some of its original features are still there.
Current Uses and Gardens
Today, the building is used for many different things by the university.
- It has a common room for staff.
- It hosts special events for the university's council.
- There are apartments for visiting professors.
- The old ballroom is now a lecture theatre for students.
The beautiful front lawn is still used for events, just like the old garden parties held by the Governors. The garden has many special trees. Some were planted by important visitors and Governors, like George Grey. There's also a rose garden that was cared for by the Governors' wives.
Over time, some of the older parts of the property have been replaced. The old stable block and tennis courts are now university buildings.
