Plans to create a precinct of government offices and other public buildings centred on Parliament dated back to the 1930s, when the first of several master schemes was proposed. The idea was to make it easier for officials and politicians to meet each other, as well as create an impressive civic space that conveyed the power of the state in New Zealand life. This plan was drawn up in 1965 and many of the buildings on it were constructed. Most were then sold to private enterprise during the 1990s after the government decided to reduce its property holdings. The new owners then leased the office space back to the state.