Government House, Auckland
Encyclopedia
The site of the present day Government House
, Auckland
was first built upon in the 1880s or 1890s, although some of the trees are slightly older, dating from the 1870s. The House is much smaller than the Wellington Government House
, being designed as a family home.
Sir Frank Mappin, 6th Baronet
and his wife Lady Mappin bought the property in 1921 and spent the next 45 years, after building the residence, developing and landscaping the grounds. The house was originally called Birchlands. The house was gifted to the Crown in 1962. The deed of gift, signed by Sir Frank, and Prime Minister Keith Holyoake on 23 May that year declares that "the donor [was] moved by his duty and loyalty to Her Majesty and by a desire to benefit her present and future subjects in New Zealand by the provision of a site of dignity and beauty for the residence in Auckland for Her Majesty's Representative in New Zealand". The deed states the property is gifted "upon trust for Her Majesty her heirs and successors according to law as a site for Government House in Auckland for ever ..".
It has been speculated by Brian Rudman
that were New Zealand to become a republic
, the House would have to return to the descendants of Sir Frank.
The first Government House of Auckland burned down. The second, now known as Old Government House
, now sits on the University of Auckland
City Campus and has been converted into lecture theatres and a common room for faculty. The building is in decline and needs considerable funds to bring it up to its former glory.
Government House
Government House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
, Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
was first built upon in the 1880s or 1890s, although some of the trees are slightly older, dating from the 1870s. The House is much smaller than the Wellington Government House
Government House, Wellington
Government House in Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand is the principal residence of the Governor-General of New Zealand. It was designed by Claude Paton in the office of John Campbell, Government Architect. Built between 1908 and 1910, the house's grounds total 12 ha, and the house is 4200 m²...
, being designed as a family home.
Sir Frank Mappin, 6th Baronet
Mappin Baronets
The Mappin Baronetcy, of Thornbury in the Township of Upper Hallam in the Parish of Sheffield in the West Riding of the County of York, was a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 27 August 1886 for the factory owner and Liberal politician Frederick Mappin...
and his wife Lady Mappin bought the property in 1921 and spent the next 45 years, after building the residence, developing and landscaping the grounds. The house was originally called Birchlands. The house was gifted to the Crown in 1962. The deed of gift, signed by Sir Frank, and Prime Minister Keith Holyoake on 23 May that year declares that "the donor [was] moved by his duty and loyalty to Her Majesty and by a desire to benefit her present and future subjects in New Zealand by the provision of a site of dignity and beauty for the residence in Auckland for Her Majesty's Representative in New Zealand". The deed states the property is gifted "upon trust for Her Majesty her heirs and successors according to law as a site for Government House in Auckland for ever ..".
It has been speculated by Brian Rudman
Brian Rudman
Brian Rudman is a journalist and regular editorial contributor to The New Zealand Herald, New Zealand's largest daily newspaper. He has his own column, 'Rudman's City', where he mainly focuses on issues relating to Auckland , its growth, public projects, policies and politicians...
that were New Zealand to become a republic
Republicanism in New Zealand
Republicanism in New Zealand is a theoretical political concept, the implementation of which would result in changing New Zealand's current constitutional monarchy to that of a republic...
, the House would have to return to the descendants of Sir Frank.
The first Government House of Auckland burned down. The second, now known as Old Government House
Old Government House, Auckland
Old Government House is the former residence of the Governor of New Zealand in Auckland, New Zealand. The present Government House in Auckland was previously a private residence....
, now sits on the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
City Campus and has been converted into lecture theatres and a common room for faculty. The building is in decline and needs considerable funds to bring it up to its former glory.
See also
- Government Houses of New ZealandGovernment Houses of New ZealandThis is a list of Government Houses in New Zealand.* Old Government House, Auckland* Government House, Auckland* Government House, Wellington...
- Government Houses of the British Empire
- Governor-General of New ZealandGovernor-General of New ZealandThe Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
External links
- New Zealand Government Houses
- The Governor-General of New Zealand - Biography, accessed 19 July 2006