Capital Birthday

On the 25th of July 1865, Wellington became the capital of New Zealand. To celebrate the anniversary the council organised a party. Various venues and institutions were open and a free shuttle bus service operated around a central city loop. Here we are queueing up to get on board.

There were about 40 organisations taking part. There's a pdf here. We only visited half a dozen or so but it was well worth while and we saw some places that are not normally open to the public.

This is the interior of the Supreme Court modelled on a kauri seed pod.

The highlight was probably Government House, home of the Governor General.

The royalists posed with their Queen.

Noreen was impressed with the ceilings and chandeliers.

Imagine having to set the table for this many people.

We were allowed upstairs to the staterooms which are normally off-limits to the public but photographs were not allowed.
As night fell at the end of the day we went to the grounds of Parliament and saw the light show there before coming home on the Cable Car where there was another light show in the tunnels. We all agreed it was a very successful occasion and should become an annual event!