Rationale

Four key principles underpin the Government House conservation project-that the House meets the needs of a 21^st Century Governor-General; that it preserves and enhances the building's heritage values; that it meets modern building standards; and that the Governor-General's constitutional, ceremonial and community leadership roles are not adversely affected in the interim.

A House fit for purpose

When Lord Islington moved into Government House in 1910, the role of the Governor was vastly different from today's modern Governor-General.  They were appointed on the advice of the British Government to not only undertake the duties of the Sovereign, but also to represent its interests and those of the British Empire.  While there were regular functions at Government House, it was primarily a stately home for the Governor and his family.

New Zealand is now an independent nation.  In constitutional terms, the Governor-General is the personal representative of the Head of State.  But in a wider sense, the Governor-General represents New Zealand and New Zealanders, both at home and abroad.  The House hosts more than 500 events each year, ranging in size from small luncheons and dinners to large ceremonial events catering for up to 200 people.  Each year more than 10,000 people visit Government House.

Many functional aspects of the House, while appropriate for the Edwardian period, no longer meet the needs of a 21^st Century Governor-General. A number of changes in internal design and the operation of the House, while preserving the heritage values, will not only improve privacy for the Governor-General and his or her spouse but also ensure it is fit for purpose as a fully serviced residence for the Governor-General and visiting Heads of State, an office for the Governor-General's staff and as a venue for formal events and ceremonies.

 

Heritage values

Government House is significant as the home of the representative of the reigning Sovereign of New Zealand, one of many current or former Government Houses throughout the world.  The building has significance to the architectural history of New Zealand as a substantial English Domestic revival styled house.  Most likely designed by Claude Paton under the aegis of the Government Architect John Campbell, it is a fine example of a range of buildings designed by the Public Works Department in the Edwardian period, and has been accorded Category 1 status by the NZ Historic Places Trust.

Government House is a national treasure house.  It contains important art works,  cultural treasures and taonga, some dating back many hundreds of years.  The Entrance Hall, for example, features carved coats of arms of Governors-General who have lived in the House while the large stained glass windows on the landing of the main staircase feature the Royal Coat of Arms.  Two pou (pillar facades) face the main door and were carved and installed during the tenure of Sir Paul Reeves (1985-90). 

The State Dining Room, likewise, contains the remarkable and very valuable portrait collection of paintings gifted by Lord Norrie in 1957.  The Drawing Room contains a painting by Nathaniel Dance that dates from 1776 and was donated by Lord Galway in 1941. It portrays Captain Charles Clerke and what is believed the earliest painting of a Maori man.   The Ballroom, the largest room in the House, includes a large portrait of Queen Victoria painted in 1843 that is on permanent loan from Buckingham Palace.

The 12ha grounds also have significant heritage value.  It has significance as a named Maori site known as Kaipapa and was also the former site of the Mt View Lunatic Asylum, remnants of which still remain. 

To ensure the project respects and enhances these and many other heritage values, a specialist conservation architect has prepared a conservation plan that has been peer reviewed by an expert Heritage Advisory Team.  The conservation architect assessed the heritage value of not only the House, but also the grounds, and rated each space for historical, physical and authenticity values.  The plan will govern the renovation of Government House and its grounds.

Compliance with modern building standards

Construction on Government House began in 1908 and was completed in 1910.  Since that time, the fabric of the building has deteriorated, particularly the roofing tiles, the stucco panels to the upper half and the services to the House.

The key infrastructural services such as the water, sewerage, stormwater, electricity, communication, gas and heating systems are at the end of their life and instances of service failure (eg, burst water and sewer pipes) have become increasingly common.

The building was constructed before modern seismic standards were adopted and its current state leaves it liable to rocking and uplift in an earthquake.  Many of the walls are not well braced and most of the Oamaru stone pillars have also deteriorated over the years.  Access for people living with disabilities is also limited.

The Governor-General's programme

The closure of Government House Wellington during the conservation and refurbishment project will mean some changes in the Governor-General's programme.  A strategy is being developed to ensure the Governor-General's programme and various duties are not affected by the closure.

During the Government House conservation project, when in Wellington, the Governor-General and Lady Satyanand will live at Vogel House in Lower Hutt, which will be renamed in the interim as Government House Vogel from the beginning of 2009.  The Governor-General, when not travelling throughout New Zealand, or abroad representing New Zealand, will also live at Government House Auckland.

Some events, such as credential ceremonies where new Ambassadors present their credentials to the Governor-General, will be held at Government House Vogel.  Other ceremonies, such as for investitures of New Zealand Honours, will be held at other venues in Wellington or elsewhere in New Zealand.   Investiture ceremonies and many other events are also regularly held at Government House Auckland since it underwent a significant refurbishment in 2005. 

The Governor-General will also maintain an office at the current Government House site, in one of the houses on the property.  Islington House, named after the first Governor to live in Government House Wellington, will also be the base for the Governor-General's staff.