Beehive (New Zealand)

Beehive
Te Whare Mīere (Māori)
Bowen House (left), the Beehive (centre) and Parliament (right). A very similar view of the latter two buildings features on New Zealand's $20 banknote.
Map
Alternative namesExecutive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings
General information
AddressCorner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington
Coordinates41°16′42″S 174°46′36″E / 41.2784°S 174.7767°E / -41.2784; 174.7767
Construction started1969 (1969)
Completed1981 (1981)[1]
InauguratedMay 1977
Renovated
  • 1998–2006
  • 2013–2014
OwnerGovernment of New Zealand
Height72 metres (236 ft)
Technical details
Floor count10
Design and construction
Architect(s)Basil Spence
Structural engineerMinistry of Works
Renovating team
Architect(s)Warren and Mahoney
Website
official website
Designated24 July 2015
Reference no.9629

The Beehive (Māori: Te Whare Mīere[2][3]) is the common name for the Executive Wing of New Zealand Parliament Buildings, located at the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington. It is so-called because its shape is reminiscent of that of a traditional woven form of beehive known as a skep. It is registered as a Category I heritage building by Heritage New Zealand.

Construction began in 1969 and was completed in 1981. Since 1979, the building has housed the offices of government ministers. Thus, the name "Beehive" is closely linked with the New Zealand Government.[4] It is often used as a metonym for the New Zealand leadership at large, with "the 9th floor" specifically referring to the office of the prime minister, which is based on that floor.[5] Cabinet meets on the top floor.

  1. ^ "The Beehive, Parliament Building and the Parliamentary Library". Tiki Touring. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  2. ^ Wilson, John. "Tuakiri o Aotearoa me te kāwanatanga - Pūnaha kāwanatanga". teara.govt.nz (in Māori). Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Whare Mīere". maoridictionary.co.nz. Te Aka Māori Dictionary. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Latest News from the Beehive". Beehive. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2019. Beehive.govt.nz is the best place to find Government initiatives, policies and Ministerial information.
  5. ^ "The 9th Floor". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.

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