What it is
The British architect Basil Spence sketched the concept in 1964, and the government architect Fergus Sheppard produced the detailed design. Construction began in 1969 and was completed in 1981, although Queen Elizabeth II dedicated the building in 1977. It rises ten storeys, 72 metres, with four more floors below ground.
The Cabinet room is on the top floor and the prime minister's office on the ninth, which is why the ninth floor is used as shorthand for the prime minister's office. The Beehive stands beside the Edwardian Parliament House and the Gothic Parliamentary Library, has appeared on the 20-dollar note since 1992 and is a Category I historic place. The ground floor is open to the public and tours of the parliamentary precinct start from the visitor centre.
Getting there by bus
Molesworth Street at Parliament (stop 5111), about 120 metres away, is served by routes 14, 22, 32x, 38x, 81 and 84 and by the N4 After Midnight service. On Lambton Quay, Lambton Quay North - Stop A (stop 5015) has routes 2, 4, 13, 33, 34 and 37.
The Wellington Station bus interchange is about two minutes' walk away: Wellington Station - Stop A (stop 5500), Stop E (stop 5016) and Lambton Quay North - Stop D (stop 5502) are served by most city routes, including 1, 3, 14, 20, 23, 24, 27 and 29, and The Terrace at Bolton Street (near 22) (stop 4911) has routes 4, 22 and 37.
