Friends of Te Papa Reception

Kia ora and good afternoon (sign) to you, all supporters of Te Papa.

Anand and I are delighted to host this reception in this newly conserved Government House for the Friends of Te Papa.  As well as being a Vice-Regal home, the House is here to represent New Zealanders to ourselves and to people from overseas, and provide a place for ceremonies such investitures and state welcomes.

The triple bi-pass and double hip replacement that this hundred-year-old state mansion number-one has undergone reassures us that we are all safe and that there are modern services which work well.  We can assure you that this was needed.

Please take this opportunity to wander on the glorious new, commissioned carpets by Graeme Chilcott – blue to indigo in the Blundell and Porritt Rooms behind me and crimson in the Grand Hall and staircases.  We understand that these carpets were made in Christchurch by Dilana Rugs.  The new marble floors in the Bledisloe Conservatory and Maota Ariki, the Ballroom’s ante room transition people into the House beautifully and replicate the original marble floor in the vestibule of the main entrance.  You will see that everywhere there are new curtains, colours and modern style mixed elegantly with the art nouveau and Edwardian historical features.  Not left out are furnishings which represent the history of the House.

We commend the Friends of Te Papa for the significant support you give to the museum.  The organisation seems to be in excellent heart under the present executive led today by Vice-President, Gordon Schroff.  My membership started soon after it was established and I value the connection very much.  Thank you, Gordon, and your team for this occasion.  Our thanks also to the Government House team who support the Governor-General superbly in every way.

When considering what the treasures of the House are, I have taken the liberty of expanding the number.  I will list them in the order that you may see them from the door through which you entered to the western end (indicate) past the Norrie Dining Room.

We have a record that the magnificent kiwi feather cloak on display in Maota Ariki, the ballroom ante-room, was given to Sir Bernard Fergusson by Lady Marjorie Dalrymple, previously the Headmistress of Woodford House.  She wished him to return it to be hung here in Government House.  It was conserved by Rangi Te Kawana, a conservationist at Te Papa in 2008 after it was found in a deteriorating state.

Above the fireplace, in the Blundell Room behind me, hangs the original Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland portrait of Captain Clerke and a fine looking Maori.  It is almost certainly the first painting of Māori and Pakeha.  When Captain James Cook was murdered, Captain Clerke was his second in command.  The Maori was based on the well-known Sydney Parkinson drawing and it was painted in 1776 in London.  It is an outstanding artwork given by Viscount Galway in 1941.  You may be interested to know that we were told that it was brought downstairs from a sitting room used by aide de camps with crayon moustaches and glasses drawn in.

Also in the Blundell Drawing Room lives the Peter McIntyre Screen, commissioned by Lady Freyberg in 1951 in preparation for the visit of King George VI.  Peter McIntyre was a friend of the Freybergs and he depicted Wellington Harbour by day on one side and by night on the other, so that the House felt closer to the harbour, the heart of Wellington.

Commissioned by Dame Catherine Tizard, and hanging in the main corridor, is a unique artwork.  Its title, “Toward the Bombay Hills” represents an imaginary but evocative view of Wellington city looking northwards.  If you observe closely through a window, you will find a portrait of Dame Cath and a cat representing her initials.  She is a friend of the artist, Sir Peter Siddell.  People are drawn to wonder at the tensions between Wellington and Auckland and the local architectural styles depicted.

Taupaepae, the Official Entrance, has is a very special Anton Seuffert marquetry Table.  Anton Seuffert, with his sons started a cabinetmaking dynasty operating in Auckland from 1859 to 1943.  The legacy is a world-class body of wooden furniture featuring New Zealand timbers.  Anton’s work is without peer for its use of highly worked decorative designs in native timbers.  In a heritage bedroom upstairs is his stunning bed made from an enormous totara burr for the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh in 1869.

In the Norrie Dining Room, hang many of the artworks that comprise the Norrie Collection.  This amazing collection is the heart of the art on display at Government House.  Lord Norrie was reputed to have said that his term as Governor-General here was the best time of his life.  There is much to say about the art, but importantly, the paintings point to the rich history from which we draw our governance, known loosely to us as the Westminster tradition.

There are 38 tapestry chairs created by branches of the Country Women’s Institute in the 1950s for the cancelled visit of King George VI which are primarily used for large dinners in the Norrie State Dining Room.  The design on the back of each chair is the coat of arms of a New Zealand city or borough.  Lady Barbara Freyberg arranged with Mayoresses and the Women’s Institutes to have them made for King George VI’s visit.  They were here for Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 1953.  In spite of frequent use the excellent care means that they remain in remarkable condition.

The display of photographs of former Governors-General, which hang at the far end of the Grand Hall, are probably the single most popular attraction for visitors.  The style of dress, hair, whiskers and medals attract the imagination as people match the knowledge they have of the personalities with the sometimes compelling faces.

We hope that you enjoy discovering more treasures of Government House and hope that you will decide on your own favourites.

For the Governor-General welcoming address, click here.