History of the Begonia House

The Botanic Garden ki Paekākā is one of New Zealand’s oldest gardens, established in 1868. The first greenhouse at the gardens was built in 1898 where the current nursery is, close to the Treehouse Visitor Centre. In 1904 another glasshouse was erected. This house was extended in 1915, and again in 1922. Provision of a greenhouse and display spaces for rare and interesting plants is traditionally a core part of any botanic garden landscape and continues to be in modern times. 

These original glasshouses were only used for propagating plants during the winter and as a display house for more delicate plants from autumn to spring. Over time people called for a display house for all seasons. The first exhibition is believed to have taken place in 1913, when George Glen’s (Director of the Botanic Garden from 1901-1918) begonia collection was displayed. This formed the original Begonia Collection and had a connection to the plant display after the war. 

The glasshouses were continuously improved to provide the right conditions for a wider range of plants for conservation purposes and display. This included Henry Wright’s donation in 1923 “of rare plants and orchids, many quite unprocurable in Australasia,” (Wellington City Council Archives, 00166-30). This offer was accepted five years later when more space was created through the addition of a new boiler and hot water pipe system to the main propagation house. The expansion of the glass house was also intended to support increased capacity in horticultural training that was needed in New Zealand at that time. 

At a time when international travel was limited, the desire for people to learn about and be amazed by interesting plants housed within an architecturally unique building made public greenhouses an enormous community attraction. In Wellington there was the added benefit of getting out of the weather.

The Begonia House site and the wider Botanic Garden landscape has been modified over time with large scale earthworks, construction of roads, and piping of streams. Work on Anderson Park Extension was carried out between 1931 and 1934 as a government employment relief scheme administered by the Wellington City Council. The park was used to house troops and later as a sports ground and is now the site of the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Begonia House.

The Norwood family came into the picture in 1939, when Lady Norwood offered £200 to improve the Begonia House. Unfortunately, the war years delayed the development. Edward Hutt, director of the gardens from 1947 to 1965, picked up the project again and took the lead on the new design of the rose gardens and Begonia House. In June 1960, Norwood generously donated a further sum of £20,000 for the construction of a new Begonia House, which finally became a reality later that year. 

Several benefactors followed the Norwoods’ example by donating sums of money or plants to enlarge the tropical plant collection.

The new glasshouse was recognised as the largest in the southern hemisphere at the time. With the establishment of the Berhampore Nursery, which functioned as the main propagation area for the Council, the planned Begonia House could act as a year-round glasshouse and include displays to support plant conservation efforts while giving access to rare and interesting plant collections. It was initially known as the Lady Norwood Begonia House, in appreciation of their generous donation.

In 1981, a Tea House was added onto the Begonia House, and in 1989 the tropical area was constructed to house the lily pond to complete the structure we see now.

The use and development of the Begonia House has steadily evolved over the years, with the addition of visitor amenities and a growing programme of events and activities. These enhancements supported the ongoing use and enjoyment of the unique building and its landscaped setting, while also encouraging engagement with the plant collections.

The Begonia House continues to offer a warm and tranquil space to be inspired by the wonders of the natural world, as well as a venue for art, music, and events.

Some renovations have been completed over the years with new features added or upgraded, including for seismic purposes in 2013.

However, much of the Begonia House and supporting buildings’ components now need repair and replacement. The glass is old and has begun regularly cracking and moving. The temperature control systems also need to be replaced to maintain the required temperatures for the plants and in the cafe. New technology is now available that can provide more efficient and cost-effective ways to manage the temperature in the Begonia House and continue to move Wellington towards our carbon reduction goals (the current boiler is gas-run).

While the main components of the structure, the glass and the temperature control are being replaced, it seems practical to consider the need for toilets, cafe and staff facilities. Doing major work all at once would save money, deliver improved outcomes and long-term management (costs and practicality) of the facility. Water supply, drainage, power, sound and lighting are also key parts of how the building operates in order to support the the Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā experience and ongoing plant conservation efforts.

Proposal in the Long-term Plan Amendment

The Begonia House is one of multiple capital projects that Council is considering as part of the Long-term Plan amendment process.

Have your say on the future of the Begonia House on Let’s Talk or find more information on the Wellington City Council website.