New Zealand
The Beehive
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Welcome to Wellington, New Zealand! The Beehive is where the country's leaders work — and it's shaped just like the woven beehives beekeepers used long ago.
Why is it famous?
Its round shape, narrowing toward the top with ten curved floors, looks exactly like an old-fashioned woven beehive — which is exactly how it got its nickname.
It's where New Zealand's Prime Minister and government ministers have their offices, right in the heart of the capital city.
How was it built?
An architect supposedly sketched the very first design for the building on the back of a napkin during dinner!
Builders finished it in stages between 1969 and 1981, giving it a shiny brown copper roof that weighs 20 tonnes.
Amazing facts
The whole building sits on 417 special rubber-and-steel cushions that let it gently sway during an earthquake instead of cracking.
It stands 72 meters (236 feet) tall with 10 floors above ground and 4 floors hidden below.
Quick facts
- The whole building sits on 417 special rubber-and-steel cushions that let it gently sway during an earthquake instead of cracking.
- It stands 72 meters (236 feet) tall with 10 floors above ground and 4 floors hidden below.
- You can spot The Beehive's picture on New Zealand's $20 bank note.
- Over 90,000 visitors tour the building every year.