New Zealand is one of the world’s most beautiful countries and is well known for its astonishing natural beauty. There are plenty of mountains, lakes, beaches and even fiords to explore.
But we are going to be focusing on the architecture in New Zealand and the history that comes with it. We’ll be going through a brief overview of the history of New Zealand’s architecture as well as looking at some of the most famous buildings in the country.
History of New Zealand’s architecture
Around 800 years ago, the Maori people travelled from their previous homes in Polynesia and landed in New Zealand. They had to adapt their style of buildings to fit their new land as the weather in New Zealand is a lot different to the warmer climes of Polynesia.
They had to dig their mostly single-room dwellings partially into the ground to protect themselves from the wind and rain that frequented the country. The one thing that didn’t change was the wharenui or meeting house and marae ātea, which is the open area around which the dwellings were situated.
In modern times, there has also been a development of houses that are now synonymous with modern New Zealand culture. These would be houses called bachs which are simple, beach-style homes that are typically found in the warmer areas of the country.
The most famous buildings in New Zealand
Beehive – Wellington
The Beehive in Wellington is one of the most famous buildings in the whole country. Situated by the quayside, it holds a very central position in the capital. Buildings don’t tend to be too huge in New Zealand, so this one feels a lot bigger than usual.
It’s called the Beehive because its structure is very similar to that of a beehive, with its round levels and almost cylindrical form. It took over ten years to build and has since been named as a building of cultural significance.
There was talk of moving it at one stage to bring all of the parliamentary buildings into the same area, but this was quickly dismissed due to public uproar.
A fun fact about the building is that it has four floors underground – another element that makes it similar to a beehive. In 1992 it was added to the twenty-dollar note making it one of
the most instantly recognisable buildings in the country.
The Sky Tower & SkyCity Casino – Auckland
The Sky Tower is probably the most famous building in the country and the one you’re most likely to see from the sky as you fly into Auckland. It stands at 328 meters or 1,076 feet tall and has an observation deck you can visit at the top. The Sky Tower was the tallest building in the southern hemisphere as recently as 2022 – but it sadly got knocked off the top spot by the Autograph Tower in Jakarta.
There’s also another one of the best casinos in New Zealand at the bottom – the SkyCity casino. You can take in the glorious views over the city at sunset from the tower, and then party the night away in the casino below.
Christchurch Casino – Christchurch
One of the coolest buildings in New Zealand is a casino that is situated in Christchurch. The design of the building makes it a popular tourist attraction, even for those with no interest in gambling. The gambling industry in New Zealand is going from strength to strength as new regulations are set to come into play in 2026. There are already plenty of online casinos to choose from for residents of New Zealand. Jackpot City, Onlinecasino.co.nz and Lucky Spins all operate in the country and are challenging the brick-and-mortar establishments. But for fans of architecture, the Christchurch Casino is your best bet to explore one of New Zealand’s finest buildings.
This casino looks like an installation you might see at a festival or art gallery, especially if you see it at nighttime. There are lights all over the casino so that you can see it for miles around, and the huge sculpture at the top makes it one of the most impressive buildings in New Zealand.
Larnach Castle – Dunedin
Larnach Castle in Dunedin is one of the most interesting buildings in New Zealand. It might be called a castle, but the fun thing about it is that it’s a mock castle.
It was built by William Larnach who was a prominent entrepreneur and politician in Dunedin, and he built it for his private residence. He hired a local architect, and a lot of the materials were sourced from nearby to build the castle.
Unfortunately, William died by suicide in 1898, and the castle had to be sold in 1906. This unfortunate end to his life might be part of the reason why the castle is thought to be haunted. People have said they’ve seen a bearded man complaining about cigar smoke in the castle.
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with a rich and diverse history and culture. Its buildings have the perfect combination of new and old working in unison – which is your favourite building?