Parliament buildings have been modified, destroyed by fire, half-built and restored; the parliamentary places and spaces have formed an important part of New Zealand's history.
New Zealand's Parliament dates back to 1854, just 14 years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the beginning of the European settlement of the country. For most of its history as a nation state, New Zealand has had some form of elected government.
Auckland was a bustling place in 1854 when Parliament met there for the first time. The buildings were located in paddocks on what was then the edge of town, Constitution Hill, between Official Bay and Mechanics Bay, close to the present-day University of Auckland.
In 1911, a competition was held for designs for a new building to house Parliament. From the 33 proposals, John Campbell's was selected and building began, although it did not all go as planned.
Today there are two parts to Parliament – the House of Representatives (or the Lower House) and the Governor-General, but between 1854 and 1951 there was a third part, the Legislative Council (or the Upper House).
This view of part of Parliament House is from the 1890s. The section on the right was built as the Provincial Buildings in 1857. When central government was moved to Wellington it became Parliament Buildings.
This view of Parliament Buildings is from Sydney Street (which then ran from what is, today, Sydney Street West right through to the bottom of Mulgrave Street). The building on the left was designed by William Clayton in 1871 and was destroyed by fire in 1907.
The main entrance portico of Parliament Buildings is illuminated to celebrate Dominion Day (26 September 1907). Words are illuminated as follows: 'Advance New Zealand' and beneath this 'Colony 1840 Dominion 1907'.
This 1908 plan for the new Parliament Buildings was never built. It shows the position of Government House (outlined in black), which was to be replaced by a larger, new structure built around it.
Marble for use in the construction of Parliament Buildings arrives in Museum Street on a Leyland truck of Hansford & Mills Construction Ltd, about 1920.
The first floor of the House of Representatives, which shows the floor tiles, dado, columns and stairs all of New Zealand marble, was photographed at about the time of completion of Parliament Buildings, about 1922.
For people passing Parliament's grounds, the library building is a picture postcard, but it is also an important research institution that has thousands of books, newspapers and other documents about Parliament.
This 1955 photograph shows the building in Parliament grounds originally built as Government House. After the Parliament House fire of 1907, this building housed Parliament, and the governor lived at Palmerston North until the new (present) Government House was ready.
The General Assembly Buildings, to the right in this view, were above Mechanics Bay. The more lavish Government House is behind these and to the left, and the military barracks are above this on the skyline.
This elevation of the Molesworth Street frontage is John Campbell's redesign with two storeys. Older wooden three-storey offices (not coloured) are to the left.
This view of Parliament Buildings is from the Molesworth Street main entrance. This postcard must have been produced just before the fire of 1907, for it bears the stamp added later, 'DESTROYED BY FIRE, December 11th, 1907'.
This view of the rear of the buildings from Sydney Street (with the Legislative Council Chamber prominent) was painted by an English artist in the early 1900s and conveys a romantic Westminster feel. Victorian men and women bustle along the street about their business.
A large crowd protesting about the Security Intelligence Bill gathers in Parliament grounds in 1977. The nearly completed Beehive looms in the background.
The remodelled grounds hosted many grand public events. The Duke and Duchess of York on their Royal Tour in 1901 arrive at the main entrance of Parliament to be welcomed by Premier Seddon and crowds of onlookers.
During the 1930s Depression the unemployed gathered at Parliament to express their feelings. Here Prime Minister George Forbes addresses the crowd, about 1932.
After the fire of 1907, this building housed Parliament, and the governor lived at Palmerston North until the new (present) Government House was ready. It was demolished in November 1969 to make way for the Beehive.
This view of Parliament in the 1900s is from an unusual angle, being taken from a height above Molesworth Street and looking down onto the grounds and circular carriage drive. The use of the light and colour is particularly striking.
Panorama of the Ayes lobby of the House of Representatives. Includes commentary by John O'Sullivan, former General Manager of the Parliamentary Service
Panorama of the Maori Affairs Committee Room/Maui Tikitiki-a-Taranga. Includes commentary by Wiremu Haunui, Kaiwhakamarama Reo for the Office of the Clerk
Panorama of the galleries of the debating chamber of the House of Representatives. Includes commentary by John O'Sullivan, former General Manager of the Parliamentary Service
Panorama of the debating chamber of the House of Representatives. Includes commentary by John O'Sullivan, former General Manager of the Parliamentary Service
Panorama of Parliament Buildings and grounds with the Beehive, Parliament House and the Parliamentary Library. Includes commentary by John O'Sullivan, former General Manager of the Parliamentary Service
