Conservation Project

  • <span class="title">New colour scheme</span><br/>The new colour scheme for Government House, which replicates the 1910 original, is revealed with the removal of scaffolding from the Ballroom entrance.
  • <span class="title">Ballroom porte cochere removal </span><br/>An aerial view of the porte cochere over the Ballroom entrance being removed.
  • <span class="title">Bird's eye view</span><br/>A bird's eye view of the roof of Government House Wellington taken from a crane lowering one of the new chimneys into place.
  • <span class="title">Aerial view</span><br/>An aerial view of the ongoing Conservation Project at Government House.
  • <span class="title">State Dining Room work</span><br/>The Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Susan Satyanand, inspect work to conserve the State Dining Room.
  • <span class="title">Plaster work</span><br/>Plaster work such as this decorative piece in the centre of the ceiling in the Drawing Room has been carefully restored.
  • <span class="title">Leadlight windows</span><br/>Leadlight windows that follow the 1910 original design are being installed in many of the sash windows to Government House.
  • <span class="title">Lift</span><br/>To improve disabled access, pictured is one of two lifts that are being installed. 
  • <span class="title">Chimney construction</span><br/>Most of the chimneys for the House are being constructed on the ground and are then craned into position.
  • <span class="title">Southern side </span><br/>The southern side of Government House Wellington.   The porte cochere has been removed from the principal entrance for restoration and while the tower remains in scaffolding, much of the roof has been retiled and many of the chimneys have been installed.  
  • <span class="title">Loggia</span><br/>The loggia on the eastern side of Government House Wellington.  The wall of the loggia has been moved inward to better reveal the Oamaru stone pillars. 
  • <span class="title">New colour scheme</span><br/>Another view of the colour scheme of Government House Wellington as seen from outside the Ballroom entrance.
  • <span class="title">Chimney put in place</span><br/>The chimney is, after careful guidance, in place.
  • <span class="title">Chimney lifted by crane and put in place</span><br/>A crane lifts a chimney onto the roof of Government House where it is fitted.
  • <span class="title">Foundation reinforcement</span><br/>A view of ongoing work to seismically reinforce the foundations of Government House.
  • <span class="title">Tower detail</span><br/>The stucco on the tower of Government House is being removed and replaced.
  • <span class="title">Tiling the roof</span><br/>An aerial view of the ongoing work to rebuild and retile the roof of Government House Wellington.
  • <span class="title">Paint work </span><br/>Layers of paint on the wooden weatherboards on the lower level of Government House are being removed so that a colour scheme similar to that used when the building opened in 1910 can be applied.
  • <span class="title">Pillars</span><br/>The largely hidden pillars of the loggia, on the eastern end of Government House, have been stripped of coats of paint and strengthened. The wall as been moved inwards allowing the pillars to be clearly seen.
  • <span class="title">Window work </span><br/>The windows of Government House are being removed, taken offsite and restored to ensure they open and close correctly and are sealed to reduce draughts and energy loss. In keeping with efforts to recognise historic and heritage detailing, exterior leadlights and window hoods will also be fitted to many windows.   These windows are in the drawing room at the eastern end of Government House Wellington.
  • <span class="title">Heritage detailing </span><br/>Rimu panelling in the State Dining Room and elsewhere is being stripped of layers of paint and returned to its original condition.
  • <span class="title">Stairwell protection</span><br/>The historic central stairwell at Government House has been encased in wood to protect it from damage whilst the Conservation Project is underway.
  • <span class="title">Protecting heritage features</span><br/>The historic central stairwell and pillars at Government House have been protected from damage. The pou or pillar facings at the entrance were removed prior to the Conservation Project beginning.
  • <span class="title">Service trench</span><br/>An updated view of the service trench which runs the length of Government House Wellington and provides access to all infrastructural services such as gas, plumbing, computer, electrical and telephone wiring and ventilation systems.  
  • <span class="title">Chimney construction</span><br/>The many chimneys to be installed into the roof of Government House Wellington are built under cover and then moved into position by crane.
  • <span class="title">Chimney</span><br/>The first of a number of chimneys is installed at the eastern end of Government House Wellington.  The chimneys match those which existed when the House was completed in 1910.  The new chimneys that are not connected to fireplaces will be used as outlets for ventilation ducts. 
  • <span class="title">Tower</span><br/>The tower of Government House Wellington is surrounded with scaffolding as the re-roofing and retiling of the historic building progresses.
  • <span class="title">Lining</span><br/>Rooms in the upper eastern wing of Government House are in the process of being relined.
  • <span class="title">Strengthening work</span><br/>The x-frame strengthening of one of many walls at Government House will give the building greater lateral strength.
  • <span class="title">New roof tiles</span><br/>A view of the roof a section that has been re-roofed with new tiles.
  • <span class="title">New stucco</span><br/>As a part of the Conservation Project, the stucco that lined the exterior of much of the upper levels of Government House is being removed and replaced.  On the left can be seen an underlying &quot;scratch&quot; coat on to which the pebble coat (viewed on the right) is applied.  To prevent water ingress, the upper level of each of the horizontal wooden dividers between each section of stucco has a stainless steel flashing. 
  • <span class="title">Government House - southern side</span><br/>The southern side of Government House shows much of the building in scaffolding and the roof being prepared for new tiles.
  • <span class="title">Service trench</span><br/>An updated view of the service trench that runs the complete length of Government House from east to west.   Many of the services such as wiring and pipes are now being installed.
  • <span class="title">Government House - north lawn </span><br/>Government House Wellington viewed from the north lawn.  The eastern wing is largely encased in scaffolding while the roof is prepared for new tiles.
  • <span class="title">Signage</span><br/>To raise public awareness of the ongoing Conservation Project, a large public information sign has been erected at the main entrance to Government House near Wellington's Basin Reserve.
  • <span class="title">Ballroom entrance (1)</span><br/>Another view of the exterior of the Ballroom, surrounded by scaffolding and netting.  Workers have already begun removing the tiles and putting in place the temporary roof on which the new tiles will be placed.
  • <span class="title">Strengthening work</span><br/>Senior Project Manager Mike Hannaway points out strengthening work being undertaken on the outside of the walls of the Ballroom.  Because of the high heritage values in the Ballroom, the strengthening of its walls is being carried out from the other side of its walls.
  • <span class="title">Service trench</span><br/>The Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Satyanand, inspect the service trench being dug the length of Government House.  The trench will not only provide easier access to wiring, plumbing and other services, but will also form part of the seismic strengthening for the whole House.
  • <span class="title">Main entrance</span><br/>The coats of arms of the Governors and Governors-General who have lived in Government House have been removed and placed in storage.
  • <span class="title">Main stairwell</span><br/>The main stairwell of Government House with the carpet and light fittings removed and the artworks placed in storage.
  • <span class="title">Ballroom entrance</span><br/>Scaffolding and protective netting surrounds the Ballroom entrance to Government House Wellington.
  • <span class="title">Packing up the House (3) </span><br/>A small side table in its protective packaging.
  • <span class="title">Packing up the House (2) </span><br/>One of the many vases at Government House is shown in its protective packaging.
  • <span class="title">Packing up the House (1) </span><br/>The packing up of Government House was a major project in itself.  Each piece of art work was carefully brought down and packed up by specialist teams prior to being placed in storage or sent for conservation work.  The packers are shown removing one of the mirrors in the Drawing Room.
  • <span class="title">Protecting the chandeliers</span><br/>To protect the two chandeliers that grace the Ballroom of Government House, each was carefully lowered into a protective box in February 2009.
  • <span class="title">Installation of protective flooring front view</span><br/>
  • <span class="title">Installation of protective flooring ballroom</span><br/>
  • <span class="title">Installation of protective flooring</span><br/>
  • <span class="title">Colour scheme</span><br/>The historic colour scheme for Government House will be restored.
  • <span class="title">Artist's Impression</span><br/>An artist’s impression of the refurbished Government House, viewed from the south.
  • <span class="title">Subfloor</span><br/><p> The foundations of Government House. </p>
  • <span class="title">Roof inspection</span><br/><p> An inspection of the roof of Government House. </p>
  • <span class="title">Clerke painting </span><br/><p> Nathaniel Dance's painting of Captain Clerke. </p>
  • <span class="title">Eleanor Roosevelt visits Government House</span><br/><p> Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, visits Government House in 1943. Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library ref: 1/4-000525-F </p>
  • <span class="title">Lord Islington</span><br/><p> Lord Islington (1910-12) was the first Governor to live in Government House Wellington. </p>
  • <span class="title">Government House Wellington 1912</span><br/>Government House pictured in 1912, two years after the first Governor to live in the House, Lord Islington, moved in. Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: 1/1-022804-G
  • <span class="title">Government House Wellington (Aerial)</span><br/>Government House Wellington showing the north terrace and north lawn, where State Welcomes for visiting Heads of State are held.