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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
    • Tours
  1. Home
  2. Government House
  3. Government House Wellington
  4. Rooms of Government House
  5. Main Hallway

Main Hallway

Landing windows
The Main Hallway almost runs the length of Government House from the Ballroom at the east to the Norrie State Dining Room in the west. It contains many works of art and artefacts reflecting New Zealand’s history and the role of the Governor-General

The Hallway, with its lush carpets and impressive collections of paintings and artefacts, is one of the most admired parts of Government House Wellington.

The east wing of the corridor houses a display- case containing gifts presented to Governors-General by various Heads of State and foreign dignitaries. A matching cabinet contains some of the gifts given by Māori to the late Sir Paul Reeves during his term (1985-90).

New Zealand art includes a large painting of Wellington by Sir Peter Siddell, presented by Dame Catherine Tizard (1990-96). The case clock immediately outside the Hobson Room (the Governor-General’s study) was made in Scotland in the 18th Century.

A feature of the western end of the hallway are the portraits of the previous Governors and Governors-General, starting with Captain Hobson (1840-42).

The tapestry chairs come from a project started by Lady Freyberg 1950s, whereby New Zealanders could celebrate the upcoming visit of King George VI. The design on the back of each chair is the coat of arms of a New Zealand city or borough, and was embroidered by groups of people in each location. Sadly the King’s visit was postponed and then cancelled due to his failing health.

When the House opened in 1910, lincrusta panels lined the hall and stairwells, trimmed at the top with a dado rail.

Lincrusta is made from a paste of linseed oil and wood flour spread on heavy canvas that is then rolled between embossed steel rollers. As part of the conservation project, the lincrusta panels were to be replaced, but the Government House design was no longer in print. Due to the expense of producing a short run, other methods of local manufacture were investigated. Vacuum-formed plastic produced the closest match to the lincrusta’s level of detail and the panels, with a paint finish, have been installed the length of the hallway.

The Gavin Chilcott-designed carpet runner takes its colour from the flowers of the pohutukawa and rata trees. The restored Matai timber borders on each side of the runner serve as pedestals for the placement of furniture.

More images of the Main Hallway

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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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