You get to see the Beehive, the library, and the Parliament. Tours are hourly, but I noticed they filled up fast, even during the week, so I suggest that you get there a good 15 minutes before your desired tour time. The biggest disappointment to me and the area where they could save time and effort has to do with the audio system. Not only did it take 7 minutes to give them out, test them, discuss them, etc, BUT... since the tour guide had a cold and he touched them, I felt that he was really spreading germs everywhere.... not comfortable. If you had a sterile wipe, it would be better. But really, they need to rethink this system.The tour is a bit rushed, but it is the best available, so don't miss it.
My husband and I have three German girls staying with us so decided to show them around Wellington. One of the places we visited was Parliament Builldings and decided to do a tour. The tour guide we had was called Murray and he was very entertaining and made the tour very interesting. We had a group of about 20, all nationalities and he was able to keep everyone entertained. My husband and I live in Upper Hutt and this is the first time we have done this tour, but we will definitely take any future visitors there.
Very nice building, the architecture is very interesting, the wood and stone used very traditional for the area.
Did the tour of the new and old buildings. all very interesting and learnt a lot about their system compared to ours. The earthquake strengthening procedure was well worth looking ast in the basement.
One hour free tour of the Parliament buildings. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, giving details relating to both the parliamentary system and the buildings. The tour finished with a look at the extensive alterations made to the buildings to protect from earthquakes.An excellent way to spend an hour! Tip: tours were on the hour. Arrive 15 mins early as you need to leave all hand luggage, coats and mobiles in a secure cloakroom.
The tour of the Parliament building is extraordinary in that it happens at all. This would not be possible so informally in our other great democracies. Our guide was terrific and outlined clearly differences between the Westminster model and with the Australian Parliament. The building and its history are fascinating.New Zealand really is a democratic country and has a Parliamentary tradition to be proud of.
I found this really interestingWe were lucky to go into the public area to watch question timeMy NZ cousin thought we were very lucky to go in the special lift usually only for MPsMy son soon got bored saying it was like a school playground but I found it interestingGood free attraction
We took the shorter half hour tour due to time constraints (which did not include the library) but still really enjoyed hearing about the history of the New Zealand parliament and seeing the various rooms used in the old building alongside the 'Beehive'. Get there really early to get the tour time of your choice.
Anyone interested in NZ should go on the tour which is repeated on the hour most hours. It is free, but you have to deposit cameras, phones (just like in DC). Interesting to walk through he parliamentary buildings (there is virtually no access to the government building), and we got to stand in the chamber of the parliament. Well worth the hour it takes and the shop has some nice NZ-made souvenirs.
the similarities and differences between the two Houses of Parliament made for an interesting tour. the 'anti-earthquake' support being particularly pertinent. An excellent tour with a good guide.