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  • The Governor-General
    • Biography of The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
    • Biography of Dr Richard Davies
    • Media statements
    • Speeches by The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro
    • The Governor-General's blog
  • Office of the Governor-General
    • Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
      • About the Coronation service
      • The King of New Zealand
      • Get involved
      • Coronation events
    • Roles and functions of the Governor-General
      • Constitutional role
        • New Zealand’s Constitution
        • Credentials ceremonies
        • The Executive Council
        • The Reserve Powers
        • The Royal prerogative of mercy
      • Ceremonial role
        • Investiture ceremonies
        • New Zealand Royal Honours
      • Community role
      • International Role
    • Conditions of Appointment
      • Administrator of the Government
      • The Governor-General Act
      • The Governor-General's Flag
    • History
      • New Zealand's Governor-General - an historical perspective
      • Former Governors-General
    • Invitations, patronage and cards
      • Invitations for the Governor-General
        • Dress code for Government House events
      • Hosting the Governor-General
      • Order of precedence in New Zealand
      • Applying for vice-regal patronage
      • Current Vice-regal patronages
      • Congratulatory messages
    • Contacting the Governor-General
      • Guidance for writing to the Governor-General
    • Official portraits
    • Royal Commission Reports
  • Government House
    • Government House Wellington
      • Government House tours
        • Accessibility Information
        • Education tours
        • Group tours
        • Upcoming public tours
      • Rooms of Government House
        • Bledisloe Conservatory
        • Blundell and Porritt Rooms
        • Fitzroy Room
        • Galway and guest suites
        • Liverpool Room
        • Main Hallway
        • Maota Ariki
        • The Ballroom
        • The Council Room
        • The Landing
        • The Norrie State Dining Room
        • The Taupaepae
      • Artwork and artifacts
        • Carved coats of arms
      • Government House centenary
      • Government House conservation
        • Conservation rationale
        • The project in detail
    • Government House Auckland
      • Government House Auckland garden tours
        • Group garden tours
        • Upcoming public garden tours
      • Planning your visit and accessibility
      • History of the gardens
    • Other Government Houses
    • Staff at Government House
      • Management of Government House
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  1. Home
  2. Government House
  3. Government House Wellington
  4. Rooms of Government House
  5. The Ballroom

The Ballroom

Throne
One of the two thrones on the dais in the Ballroom.

The Ballroom is the largest room in Government House Wellington.

It is used for receptions, large formal dinners, concerts, investitures and other award ceremonies, and occasionally for formal balls. It is where the Prime Minister and his or her Ministers are sworn in as members of the Executive Council by the Governor-General after a General Election.

Two thrones sit on the dais, below a 1960 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, painted by Denis Fildes (1889-1975). The Queen is pictured in an evening dress and the star and blue sash of the Order of the Garter, as well as two Family Orders of her father, George VI (pink ribbon) and her grandfather, George V (blue ribbon). The Ballroom also features a large portrait of King George V.

The two Czech crystal chandeliers were bought in 1966 at the prompting of Lady Fergusson, during Sir Bernard Fergusson's term of office (1962-67).

The drapery matches that shown in historic photographs and requested by Lady Islington (the spouse of the first Governor to live in the House).

More images of the Ballroom

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In this section
  • Government House Wellington
    • Government House tours
    • Rooms of Government House
      • Bledisloe Conservatory
      • Blundell and Porritt Rooms
      • Fitzroy Room
      • Galway and guest suites
      • Liverpool Room
      • Main Hallway
      • Maota Ariki
      • The Ballroom
      • The Council Room
      • The Landing
      • The Norrie State Dining Room
      • The Taupaepae
    • Artwork and artifacts
    • Government House centenary
    • Government House conservation
  • Government House Auckland
  • Other Government Houses
  • Staff at Government House
  • Tours

Book a tour of Government House Wellington

Government House Wellington.

Our Visitor Centre runs free, guided tours for individuals, groups and schools.

Bookings are required.

Find out more about tours

Govt House Trip Advisor 2024

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The Governor-General
  • Biography of The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
  • Biography of Dr Richard Davies
  • Media statements
  • Speeches by The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro
  • The Governor-General's blog
Office of the Governor-General
  • Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
  • Roles and functions of the Governor-General
  • Conditions of Appointment
  • History
  • Invitations, patronage and cards
  • Contacting the Governor-General
  • Official portraits
  • Royal Commission Reports
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