New Zealand Legislative Council
The New Zealand Legislative Council was the upper house of the General Assembly of New Zealand between 1853 and 1951. An earlier arrangement of legislative councils for the colony and provinces existed from 1841 when New Zealand became a colony; it was reconstituted as the upper house of a bicameral legislature when New Zealand became self-governing in 1852, which came into effect in the following year.
The original plenary chamber, photographed in 1899
The Legislative Council Chamber in 2011, pictured before the speech from the throne
The New Zealand Parliament is the unicameral legislature of New Zealand, consisting of the Sovereign (King-in-Parliament) and the New Zealand House of Representatives. The King is usually represented by his governor-general. Before 1951, there was an upper chamber, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The New Zealand Parliament was established in 1854 and is one of the oldest continuously functioning legislatures in the world. It has met in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, since 1865.
New Zealand Parliament
Chamber of the House of Representatives, c. 1900–1902
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the Opening of Parliament in 1963
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the Opening of Parliament, 13 November 1986