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Story: Governors and governors-general

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Government House, Auckland

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The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Government House, Auckland

In 1856 the government built what later became known as Old Government House in Auckland. Until it was acquired by the neighbouring university in 1969, this timber building housed the vice-regal family and visitors whenever they were in residence in Auckland. In 1953 Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh (standing on the steps at left) were special Christmas guests at the house.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: 1/2-035247-F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Gavin McLean, Governors and governors-general – Vice-regal support, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/33661/the-queen-and-duke-of-edinburgh-at-government-house-auckland (accessed 3 June 2026).

Story by Gavin McLean, published 30 January 2012.