Galway and guest suites

 

The Galway Suite is one of eight guest suites in Government House Wellington.

The Galway Suite, which is located at the top of the Landing, is one of eight guest suites in Government House.   The suite is named after Governor-General Viscount Galway (1935-41), who gave the famous painting of Captain Charles Clerke by Nathaniel Dance that hangs in the Blundell Room.

Each suite is characterised by a different native New Zealand bird and illustrations, often taken from W. L. Buller’s A History of the Birds of New Zealand (1888) were used to inform the colorr schemes and fabric selections. Galway’s nominated bird is the Hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin. Highlights from the bird’s plumage and environment are reflected in the room’s decor.

The furniture in each of the guest suites is a mix of existing and new. Where possible, the new furniture was designed and made in New Zealand. Local artist Elisabeth Vullings was commissioned to produce a series of artworks depicting the various native birds which were then translated to embroidery to decorate cushions.