New Zealand Medallion Series - The Beehive

New Zealand is a place that combines beautiful native forests with endless beaches, snow clad mountain ranges and unique geothermal activity, all of which can now be taken home. The Medallion Series features iconic Kiwi landmarks, attractions, plants and birds that make New Zealand the unique place it is. Containing a stunning coloured medallion, the series also features beautiful images along with interesting facts and information.

About the Design

The ‘Beehive’ is the popular name given to the Executive Wing of the parliamentary complex due to the building’s general shape. Located in Wellington the capital city of New Zealand, it is where the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers have offices and where the Cabinet itself meets.

The Beehive’s 14 floors contain a wide variety of facilities alongside offices. These include function rooms, a swimming pool and television studio, catering facilities, civil defense headquarters and a banquet hall able to host up to 300 guests.

The building itself is extensively decorated with New Zealand artwork including a large three-dimensional mural by John Boys Drawbridge (1930–2005). This work uses enamel gloss paint on aluminium angles to portray the atmosphere and sky of New Zealand. It is one of the artist’s most significant works.

Credit for the design of the building is given to Scottish architect Sir Basil Spence, who made a rough sketch of his concept on the back of a dinner napkin in 1964. This was developed by the government and built in stages between 1969 and 1979.

Since then the 72 meter high building has remained relatively unaltered, becoming synonymous over time with the city of Wellington.