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The House was designed in the office of the Government Architect,
John Campbell, the designer of Parliament Buildings, principally by
his assistant, Claude Paton. It was built between 1908 and 1910.
Government House has eleven bedrooms and two large suites (there
are 27 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms in total, including the staff quarters),
as well as a ballroom, sitting rooms, service rooms and a wing of
offices. The House is approximately 4,200 m2 (45,000 sq. ft.).
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The grounds, which have been endorsed as a "Garden of National Significance" by the New Zealand Gardens Trust, cover about 12 hectares, some of which is flat lawn or garden,
with much of the rest being steep hillside. Exotic species of trees are
increasingly being complemented by trees and shrubs native to New Zealand.
As well as the Policeman's Lodge at the main gate, other buildings and
facilities include a tennis court and pavilion, a small swimming pool,
a World War II-era bomb shelter, a squash court, eight cottages and garages.
During the term of Sir Michael Hardie Boys (1996 – 2001), the grounds
were extensively redeveloped and re-landscaped.
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