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Our House: A house of representatives should, ideally, be ...
International perspectives on democracy: Commonwealth heads of government leaders said in their ...
Electing Parliament: The MPs and the political parties in New Zealand's Parliament are elected ...
Members of Parliament: In the 27 July 2002 general election, Labour gained 52, National 27, New Zealand ...
Forming the government: The Labour and Progressive Coalition Parties in Parliament have agreeed ...
Composition of Parliament: New Zealand's Parliament is a place where more and more sections ...
The New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust: The New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust was formed in 1991 to bridge ...
The role of the speaker: The Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives is the highest officer ...
Who drafts the laws? To make sure laws ar written correctly, Parliament has ...
The Office of the Clerk: The position of Clerk of the House of Representatives is one of the oldest ...
Parliamentary Service: The Parliamentary Service is one of two parliamentary agencies providing ...
What MPs do: Conventions, not job descriptions, guide what ..
MP's pay: Members of Parliament currently receive a ....
Living two lives: John Key, aged 41, National MP for Helensville, was an investment ...
From Youth MP to youngest MP: Darren Hughes, at 24 New Zealand's youngest ...
Government and Opposition: There is a tradition of thinking that asserts that ideas change with ...
How laws are made: Parliament is New Zealand's supreme law-making body. It's members study ...
Select committees: After a bill is introduced to Parliament and has been given its ...
Petitioning Parliament: Every New Zealand citizen or resident has the right to petition Parliament ...
Visiting Parliament: People come for many reasons to tour New Zealand's Parliament ...
150 years: The New Zealand Parliament celebrates its 150th ...
Visiting Parliament
Open House
History's revelations
Eductional tours
Come any time
Tour times
People come for many reasons to tour New Zealand’s Parliament Buildings:
to see democracy in action
to walk the corridors of power and feel the history
to learn about how Parliament works
simply to see the beauty of these magnificently restored old buildings.
Open House
Parliament has an Open House programme for visitors, with professional guides leading the tour groups. On tour, visitors see Parliament Buildings in a special New Zealand way. Some of the highlights are: Parliament House, a beautiful example of neo-classical Edwardian architecture; select committee rooms; the debating chamber of the House of Representatives; the Victorian Gothic Parliamentary Library and Reading Room; the Legislative Council Chamber, where our upper house met until 1951. When the House is not sitting, visitors are taken to the floor of the debating chamber.
The tours describe our political system, weaving history and politics together showing how law and public policies are made. Tours also cover art, culture, technology, and the many stories that bring Parliament to life.
In Parliament House, there is a Visitor Centre which includes a shop, and visitors are welcome to purchase gifts unique to New Zealand's Parliament.
History’s revelations
Indoors or outdoors, Parliament offers interest and history. The grounds have seen some of the most important events in New Zealand’s changing democracy, and offer views of many other important institutions of government. Other heritage areas of Thorndon, the earliest-settled part of Wellington, are within easy walking distance.
Some aspects of Parliament’s life can be seen from the outside too – the plaque commemorating the move of the capital from Auckland to Wellington is on the north-east corner of Parliament House, not far from another plaque noting the centenary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand. The statue in front of Parliament House is the Right Honourable Richard John Seddon and John Ballance is in front of the Parliamentary Library, both leaders of the New Zealand Government. The James Cook memorial is near the Beehive.
Educational tours
Visit Parliament through its professional education services. Every year, over 10,000 students visit Parliament, where they get very special treatment. When teachers book a time for their visit, they are asked to describe the education outcomes they are aiming for and to set the scene for the particular aspects they want to explore. While many want a general introduction to the role of Parliament as New Zealand’s central democratic institution, others use the buildings and their functions to illustrate parts of the science, language, technology and art curricula.
Come any time
Guided tours are on offer nearly every day (see box below). Bookings are necessary for groups over ten people or those with a special interest – telephone Parliament first. Pre-booking school tours is essential to get the best out of a trip to Parliament.
Tour times
Weekdays 10.00am to 5.00pm (last tour departs 4.00pm)
Weekends: Saturdays 10.00am – 3.00pm, Sundays 12.00 - 3.00pm
Closed: New Year’s Day and 2 January, Waitangi Day, Good Friday,
Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Please phone (04) 471 9503 for advice concerning tour departure times,
bookings, education services, disabled access, House sitting dates,
availability of outside tours and special events.
Find out more!
Education Offices
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Tel: (04) 471 9458; Fax: 04) 499 0704
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© David Hamilton
The Galleria in Parliament House. The artwork is called These are Matters of Pride by Malcolm Harrison. The Mooring Stone on the bottom right shows the ribbons representing the cultural groups who make up our nation.