In Wellington

We woke up to rain and decided to have a slow start to the day but it was not to be. While we sat in bed drinking our morning tea, the hotel fire alarm went off and we had to dress quickly and find the fire exit. Fortunately the alarm then stopped and we were quickly back in our room.

I walked and Clodagh took a bus to the Parliament Buildings where we had an excellent tour first around the modern executive building, designed by the English architect, Basil Spence, and known as the 'Beehive'. Although starkly modern against its neighbours, the same marble had been used as for the more traditional legislature building, which we next visited.

It was 1865 when Parliament moved from Auckland to Wellington but the old Assembly Building was destroyed by fire.

 

The present building has been used since 1918. In the 1990s it was restored and modernised including the installation of novel technology to protect it from earthquakes. We toured the Debating Chamber, the beautifully appointed Maori Affairs Committee Room, the 3 storied height Galleria and the chamber once used for the Upper House. We were told that, in some controversy, it had been abolished, as in practice it merely agreed with everything the government of the day proposed.

The third linked building is the Parliamentary Library used predominantly by members but the public can request access.

 

Then to the nearby Romanesque-style Wellington Cathedral of St Paul. The building programme was spread over several decades and was only completed in 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On to the very different previous cathedral, now known as Old St Paul's. Constructed entirely of wood, even including the nails, in the 1860s, it was 'retired' in the 1960s after almost 100 year's service and its functions transferred to the new St Paul's. There was then a great heritage battle when the Anglican Church proposed demolishing it. This was resolved by the Government agreeing to buy it in 1970 and it is now used as a venue for weddings, funerals, christenings and any spiritual event. We were told it was now a BYO church - bring your own vicar. Or rabbi, or Imam?

Clodagh bussed back to the hotel and I walked along Lambton Quay past the Government Buildings. Although one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, it was built, in the colonial period, to resemble an Italian stone palace in an attempt to convey strength and stability in the expanding British Empire.

I went on to the City Art Gallery and viewed the modern art and sculptures, which were not much to my taste. Back at the hotel I read about it having been moved 120m from across the road. When the building of Te Papa was proposed on its old site, the hotel owners were offered compensation or the move. The photo shows it from Te Papa and it is not clear why they opted for the move - it is not an iconic building.

We dined at another of Simon's recommendations, Dragon Fly, and excellent it was too. Not so excellent was being dragged out again by another fire alarm and having to wait around outside while 3 fire engines arrived and eventually cleared us to go back to bed.

 

Robert Cole