Beehive (New Zealand)

2025-10-03T03:47:55Z

2403:9E00:8080:1033:C14:AE47:C0E4:E7C5: Updated the nationality of Sir Basil Spence from English to Scottish.

{{Short description|Executive wing of the Parliament buildings}}
{{Redirect|The Beehive||Beehive (disambiguation)}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Beehive
| native_name = {{native_name|mi|Te Whare Mīere}}
| alternate_names = Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings
| image = Beehive, Wellington, New Zealand.jpg
| alt =
| caption = [[Bowen House]] (left), the Beehive (centre) and Parliament (right). A very similar view of the latter two buildings features on New Zealand's [[New Zealand twenty-dollar note|$20 banknote]].
| building_type =
| architectural_style =
| structural_system =
| cost =
| ren_cost =
| location =
| address = Corner of [[Molesworth Street, Wellington|Molesworth Street]] and [[Lambton Quay]], [[Wellington]]
| client =
| owner = [[Government of New Zealand]]
| current_tenants =
| landlord =
| coordinates = {{coord|-41.2784|174.7767|region:NZ_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| start_date = {{start date|1969}}
| completion_date = {{end date|1981}}{{refn|{{Cite web |title=The Beehive, Parliament Building and the Parliamentary Library |url=http://www.tikitouring.co.nz/beehive.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218140918/http://www.tikitouring.co.nz/beehive.htm |archive-date=2022-02-18 |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=Tiki Touring |language=en-NZ}}}}
| inauguration_date = May 1977
| renovation_date = {{ubl|1998–2006|2013–2014}}
| demolition_date =
| destruction_date =
| height = {{convert|72|m|ft}}
| diameter =
| other_dimensions =
| floor_count = 10
| floor_area =
| main_contractor =
| architect = [[Basil Spence]]
| architecture_firm =
| structural_engineer = [[New Zealand Ministry of Works|Ministry of Works]]
| services_engineer =
| civil_engineer =
| other_designers =
| quantity_surveyor =
| awards =
| ren_architect = [[Warren and Mahoney]]
| ren_firm =
| ren_str_engineer =
| ren_serv_engineer =
| ren_civ_engineer =
| ren_oth_designers =
| ren_qty_surveyor =
| ren_awards =
| embedded = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=NZ Category I|designation1_number=9629|designation1_date=24 July 2015}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.beehive.govt.nz/|official website}}
| references =
}}
The '''Beehive''' ({{langx|mi|Te Whare Mīere}})<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=John |title=Tuakiri o Aotearoa me te kāwanatanga - Pūnaha kāwanatanga |url=https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/4233/nga-whare-paremata |website=teara.govt.nz |publisher=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=26 September 2022 |language=mi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Whare Mīere |url=https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?keywords=whare+m%C4%ABere |website=maoridictionary.co.nz |publisher=Te Aka Māori Dictionary |access-date=26 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> is the common name for the '''Executive Wing''' of [[New Zealand Parliament Buildings]], located at the corner of [[Molesworth Street, Wellington|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 [[Beehive#Skeps|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 [[Ministers in the New Zealand Government|government ministers]]. Thus, the name "Beehive" is closely linked with the [[New Zealand Government]].{{refn|{{Cite web |title=Latest News from the Beehive |url=https://beehive.govt.nz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426102449/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/ |archive-date=26 April 2022 |access-date=19 August 2019 |website=Beehive |language=en-NZ |quote=Beehive.govt.nz is the best place to find Government initiatives, policies and Ministerial information.}}}} It is often used as a [[List of metonyms|metonym]] for the New Zealand leadership at large, with "the 9th floor" specifically referring to the office of the [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|prime minister]], which is based on that floor.{{refn|{{Cite web |title=The 9th Floor |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-9th-floor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412050853/https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-9th-floor |archive-date=12 April 2022 |access-date=1 May 2022 |website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}}} [[Cabinet of New Zealand|Cabinet]] meets on the top floor.

==History==

In the 1960s the government proposed an extension of [[Parliament House, Wellington|Parliament House]], which had only been partly built in 1922. Prime Minister [[Keith Holyoake]] had wanted to complete the original plan, but the government architect persuaded him to approve a modern building which would house parliamentary offices.{{refn|{{Cite web |last=Maclean |first=Chris |date=1 August 2015 |editor-last=Phillips |editor-first=Jock |editor-link=Jock Phillips |title=The Beehive |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/13378/the-beehive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129003836/https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/13378/the-beehive |archive-date=29 January 2022 |access-date=26 March 2019 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}}} In 1964, Scottish architect [[Basil Spence]] provided the original conceptual design of a round building rising in steps. The detailed architectural design was undertaken by the New Zealand government architect [[Fergus Sheppard]], and structural design of the building was undertaken by the [[New Zealand Ministry of Works|Ministry of Works]].{{refn|name="NZHPT 9629"|{{NZHPT|9629|Executive Wing (the Beehive)|19 July 2015}}}} W. M. Angus constructed the first stage, beginning in 1969{{thinsp|—}}the podium, underground car park and basement for a national civil defence centre. Gibson O'Connor constructed the ten floors of the remainder of the building.{{refn|name="History of Parliament’s buildings"|{{Cite web |date=27 February 2017 |orig-date=20 January 2016 |title=The Beehive – Executive Wing |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/history-and-buildings/buildings-and-grounds/the-beehive-executive-wing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113015059/https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/history-and-buildings/buildings-and-grounds/the-beehive-executive-wing/ |archive-date=13 January 2022 |access-date=1 May 2022 |website=[[New Zealand Parliament]] |language=en-NZ}}}}

[[File:Queen Elizabeth II opening the Beehive, 1977 (32230497324).jpg|thumb|left|Queen Elizabeth II opening the Beehive, 28 February 1977]]
[[Bellamy's]] catering facilities moved into the building in the summer of 1975–1976 and [[Elizabeth II]], [[Monarchy of New Zealand|Queen of New Zealand]], unveiled a plaque in the reception hall in February 1977. The Prime Minister, [[Robert Muldoon]], formally opened the building in May 1977. The government moved into the upper floors in 1979. The annexe facing Museum Street was completed in 1981.{{r|History of Parliament’s buildings}}

In the late 1990s, there was consideration of moving the Beehive behind Parliament House and finishing Parliament House according to the 1911 original plans. The plan was scuttled due to public outcry at the cost.{{refn|{{Cite news |last=Small |first=Vernon |date=2016-09-12 |title=Parliament poised for major building revamp, including plan for new office block |language=en-NZ |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/84171870/parliament-poised-for-major-building-revamp-including-plan-for-new-office-block |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128223845/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/84171870/parliament-poised-for-major-building-revamp-including-plan-for-new-office-block |archive-date=2022-01-28}}}} Renovations were carried out and the interior was modernised between 1998 and 2006 to plans by [[Christchurch]] architecture firm [[Warren and Mahoney]]. In 2013 and 2014, the roof was repaired and windows replaced.{{r|NZHPT 9629}}

In July 2015, [[Heritage New Zealand]] declared the Beehive "of outstanding heritage significance for its central role in the governance of New Zealand". Blyss Wagstaff of Heritage New Zealand called it "one of the most recognisable buildings in the country". Heritage New Zealand assigned the highest rating for a historic place, Category I, to the building.{{r|NZHPT 9629}} The original application for the heritage designation was made by [[Lockwood Smith]], a former [[Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives|Speaker of the House of Representatives]]. The heritage registration with the list number 9629 became effective on 24 July 2015. The tunnel to [[Bowen House]] is specifically excluded from the heritage registration.{{r|NZHPT 9629}}{{refn|name="Press heritage order"|{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Catherine |date=2015-07-11 |title=Beehive declared historic place |language=en-NZ |page=A10 |work=[[The Press]] |url=https://pressreader.com/article/281663958681815 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220502023927/https://www.pressreader.com/article/281663958681815 |archive-date=2022-05-02}}}}

==Facts and figures==
[[File:Beehive, Wellington - view from above.jpg|thumb|left|A view of the Beehive from above, showing the much larger structure at its base]]

The building is ten storeys ({{convert|72|metres}}) high and has four floors below ground.{{refn|name="Rodgers"|{{Cite news |last=Rodgers |first=Kerry |date=2011-07-01 |title=The contentious Beehive – Building Today Magazine |language=en-NZ |work=Building Today |url=http://www.buildingtoday.co.nz/LatestNews/Magazine/tabid/8136/ArticleID/9657/Default.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=2017-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209154545/https://buildingtoday.co.nz/2011/07/01/the-contentious-beehive/ |archive-date=2022-02-09}}}} The entrance foyer's core is decorated with marble floors, stainless steel mesh wall panels, the columns clad in [[Tākaka Marble|Takaka marble]] and a translucent glass ceiling.{{r|History of Parliament’s buildings}}

The Beehive's brown roof is made from {{convert|20|t|lb}} of hand-welted and seamed [[copper]]. It has developed a naturally weathered appearance. A tunnel runs under Bowen Street from The Beehive to parliamentary offices in Bowen House.{{r|NZHPT 9629}}

The Beehive's circular [[footprint]] (see [[Rotunda (architecture)|rotunda]]) is generally considered an elegant and distinctive design feature. However it also causes problems, as many of its rooms are [[Wedge (geometry)|wedge]]-shaped, curved or asymmetrical.{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2013-02-26 |title=Beehive |url=http://wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz/~/media/heritage/buildings/pdf-reports/036-bowen-street-the-beehive---parliament-buildings-1970-public-report-2015.ashx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202012218/http://wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz/~/media/heritage/buildings/pdf-reports/036-bowen-street-the-beehive---parliament-buildings-1970-public-report-2015.ashx |archive-date=2022-02-02 |access-date=2017-07-10 |website=Wellington City Heritage |language=en-NZ}}}} An extension has been built at the front to allow for a new security entrance. A new, bomb-proof mail delivery room has already been built at the rear of the building.{{r|Rodgers}}

The Beehive has, since 1992, featured as part of the design of the [[New Zealand twenty-dollar note]].{{refn|{{Cite web |title=$20 |url=https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins/notes/banknotes-in-circulation/banknote-features-for-each-denomination/20-dollars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424031558/https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/notes-and-coins/notes/banknotes-in-circulation/banknote-features-for-each-denomination/20-dollars |archive-date=2022-04-24 |access-date=2020-10-15 |website=[[Reserve Bank of New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}}} A survey commissioned by the [[Reserve Bank of New Zealand]] found that the Beehive is "a New Zealand icon and as such is readily recognisable".{{refn|{{Cite web |date=June 2010 |title=RBNZ Bank Notes Survey 2010 Consumer |url=http://rbnz.govt.nz/~/media/ReserveBank/Files/Notes%20and%20coins/Banknote%20Upgrade/4436446.pdf?la=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201221526/https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/~/media/ReserveBank/Files/Notes%20and%20coins/Banknote%20Upgrade/4436446.pdf?la=en |archive-date=2022-02-01 |access-date=2017-06-22 |website=[[Reserve Bank of New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}}}

===Art work===
The Beehive is extensively decorated with [[New Zealand art]] and was designed to showcase the country's creative artists.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Elliott |first=Sue |date=2 August 2023 |title=Original tapestry back in the foyer of the Beehive |url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-post-1022/20230802/281646784646633 |access-date=11 January 2023 |work=The Post |pages=14 |via=PressReader.com}}</ref> On the inner wall of the Banquet Hall is a mural by [[John Drawbridge]] {{convert|42|m}} long and {{convert|4.8|m}} high portraying the atmosphere and sky of New Zealand.{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2021-03-18 |title=John Drawbridge |url=http://www.thearts.co.nz/artists/john-drawbridge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201192355/http://www.thearts.co.nz/artists/john-drawbridge |archive-date=2022-02-01 |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=[[Arts Foundation of New Zealand]] |language=en-NZ}}}} The foyer contains a textile wall hanging ''Forest in the Sun'' by Joan Calvert and [[Guy Ngan]] which was commissioned for the building.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Guy Ngan and Joan Calvert wall hanging, Beehive, Parliament |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/45313/guy-ngan-and-joan-calvert-wall-hanging-beehive-parliament |access-date=11 January 2024 |website=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref> It was hung in 1977 when the Queen opened the building, removed in 2003 during refurbishments and re-hung in 2023.<ref name=":0" />

==Offices and facilities==
[[File:Wellington, Beehive, May 2015.jpg|thumb|The upper floors of the Beehive house the Cabinet and the Prime Minister's office]]
The top floor is occupied by the [[Cabinet of New Zealand|Cabinet]] room, with the [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|prime minister's]] offices directly beneath on the ninth floor (and part of the eighth).{{r|NZHPT 9629}} The upper portion of the Beehive also contains the offices of other ministers; senior ministers are situated at proximity to the prime minister's office according to their ranking in Cabinet. The seniority of a minister is reflected in how far up the building they are.{{r|NZHPT 9629}}{{refn|name="RNZ"|{{Cite news |date=2018-08-23 |title=Anatomy of a minister's office: What happens in the Beehive? |language=en-nz |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018659375/anatomy-of-a-minister-s-office-what-happens-in-the-beehive |url-status=live |access-date=2019-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202095835/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018659375/anatomy-of-a-minister-s-office-what-happens-in-the-beehive |archive-date=2022-02-02}}}} Some ministers, especially junior ministers, are instead based in [[Bowen House]].<ref name="RNZ"/>

Other facilities within the building include function rooms and a banqueting hall on the first floor of the Beehive, which is the largest function room in the parliamentary complex. The parliamentary catering facilities of ''Bellamy’s'' include a bar known as ''Pickwicks'' or ''3.2'' (due to its position in the building on the third floor and second corridor), ''Copperfield's'' café, and the ''Member's'' and ''Member's and Guests'' restaurants. The building also houses, in its basement, the country's [[National Crisis Management Centre]].{{r|Press heritage order}} The Beehive contains a theatrette, commonly used for government press conferences. Other facilities include a gym and a swimming pool. The building is also used by members of Parliament who hold meetings or are discussing bills or new laws.

==Public access==
The New Zealand Parliament has a visitor centre located on the ground floor of the Beehive.{{refn|{{Cite web |date=2015-12-11 |title=Visitor Centre |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/visit/visitor-centre/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131061427/https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/visit/visitor-centre/ |archive-date=2022-01-31 |access-date=2017-06-24 |website=[[New Zealand Parliament]] |language=en-NZ}}}} Tours were suspended in 2020 to limit the spread of [[COVID-19]]. The public gallery and select committee meetings remained open to the public, subject to review.{{refn|{{Cite news |last=Small |first=Zane |date=2020-03-16 |title=Coronavirus: Public tours and school visits to Parliament cancelled amid COVID-19 concern |language=en-NZ |work=[[Newshub]] |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/03/coronavirus-public-tours-and-school-visits-to-parliament-cancelled-amid-covid-19-concern.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2020-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131160313/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/03/coronavirus-public-tours-and-school-visits-to-parliament-cancelled-amid-covid-19-concern.html |archive-date=2022-01-31}}}}

==Photo gallery==
{{gallery |height=150 |mode=packed
|File:Wellington City - Parliament Publicity Caption "The Beehive", Wellington City Photographer Unknown.jpg|The Beehive under construction in 1978
|File:Wellington City - Parliament Building Publicity Caption Parliament Buildings showing the new executive wing - "The Beehive" Photographer W. Cleal.jpg|The Beehive and Parliament House in 1979
|File:Proposaltoshiftbeehive.jpg|Illustration of proposal to move the Beehive behind Parliament House in 1997
|File:Wellington, Beehive, 2016-01-25.jpg|Beehive viewed from the south, with [[Bowen House]] to the left and [[Old Government Buildings]], right
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{official website|https://www.beehive.govt.nz/}}
* {{Cite web |date=2014-08-05 |title=History of Parliament Buildings |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/history-of-parliament-buildings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313123843/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/history-of-parliament-buildings |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=New Zealand History |language=en-NZ}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline|Beehive, Wellington}}

{{Wellington landmarks}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1970s architecture in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Basil Spence buildings]]
[[Category:Brutalist architecture in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Wellington City|Beehive]]
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1981]]
[[Category:Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic places in the Wellington Region]]
[[Category:Politics of New Zealand|Beehive]]
[[Category:Rotundas (architecture)|Beehive]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Wellington City]]

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Beehive (New Zealand)