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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 Taupaepae

The Taupaepae

Pou
One of two pou, or pillar facings, which feature prominently in the Entrance Hall. The pou are carved out of totara in the Taranaki style and stand more than two metres tall.

Guests to Government House Wellington enter under a covered porte-cochère on the southern side of the House.

The Taupaepae, or official entrance hall, is where guests arriving to see Their Excellencies are greeted.

The two pou, or pillar facings, in the Taranaki-style, were presented to the House by the late Sir Paul Reeves, New Zealand’s first Governor-General of Māori descent. Sir Paul carved a small portion of the eastern pillar himself.

Around the walls are the carved coats of arms of the Governors and Governors-General who have lived in the House since 1910.

The marquetry table was made in the 19th Century by Anton Seuffert, and the two oak porters’ chairs in the entrance foyer are among the few items of furniture to have been in the House since it was built.

The Gavin Chilcott-designed carpet runner was adapted to fit the spaces of the main hall, forming a wall- to-wall carpet at the north end and a carpet square at the entrance. The runner passes through the space connecting the east and west hallways as well as up the main stair. The carpet takes its colour-way from the flowers of the pohutukawa and rata trees.

More images of the Taupaepae

Carved Coats of Arms

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  • 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
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