The Beehive (building) - Definition and Overview

The Beehive is the common name for the executive wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings, located in Wellington, Wellington. Designed by British architect, Sir Basil Spence in 1964, the building was completed in 1981.

The building is ten storeys high and is 72 metres in height. The top floor is occupied by the cabinet offices, with the Prime Minister's offices on the floor immediately below. Other floors contain the offices of individual cabinet ministers.

Other facilities within the building include function rooms such as a television studio, press theatre, and a banquet hall, as well as service rooms, among which are the parliamentary catering facilities of Bellamy’s. The building also houses, in its basement, the country’s main civil defence headquarters.

A tunnel leads from the building under Bowen Street, linking the Beehive with parliamentary offices in Bowen House.

The Beehive is extensively decorated with New Zealand art, notably a large stained glass window in the foyer which commemorates the country's 150th anniversary in 1990.

External links

• Beehive information (http://www.ps.parliament.govt.nz/beehive.htm)
• Panorama of NZ Parliament buildings (http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/Gallery/parlt-hist/pans/balcony.html)