New Zealand Government Center

The architecture of the parliament building in Wellington presents some serious contrasts. The earliest parliament building is now the law school of Victoria University. (It's near the site of this photo, but not pictured here.)

The next building to be built is a Victorian wedding-cake type building, all pink with flourishes. (At right.) Next to it is a serious and heavy building from the early 20th century, with classical columns and gravitas.

When the existing buildings became too small, in the late 60s, a very independent-minded architecture minister planned and then built "the beehive." Today, cabinet ministers and high executives have offices in it -- the top floor is the offices of the Prime Minister. The ensemble is startling, to say the least. When the design styles of the 60s and 70s become more classic, the beehive will probably look better: right now, I'd say it's rather dated.

Across the street from Parliament -- and on the direct route which leads from our hotel to almost everywhere else -- is a pub called The Backbencher: The House with No Peers. I'm hoping to have a beer there before we leave, as I am a lover of puns, myself.

Beer, incidentally, is very popular here. A brewery called Mac's, down on the waterfront, attracted quite a crowd on Saturday -- several conference attendees arranged a meeting place there. So I guess it's also "in" with the parliamentarians.