PM’s Wellington house rundown, officials say
A briefing to the prime minister has called her official residence ‘‘tired and dated’’ and in need of urgent upgrades.
It reveals that without recent work the building would not have met the Government’s own Healthy Homes Standards.
The prime minister has an official residence in Wellington, Premier House, where she resides while in the capital.
Officials from Ministerial Services, who operate the properties, wrote in their briefing that ‘‘further significant investment’’ was needed for the residence and they were keen on a decision in November 2020. Investment was made in upgrading Premier House’s security arrangements last term. But the officials said more work was needed.
‘‘While the properties meet minimum building and residential tenancy requirements, the condition of the residences, and of the state reception areas at Premier House, remains dated and basic,’’ they wrote. ‘‘To strengthen the long-term management of Crownowned properties, the department is seeking to identify and agree future standards for the residential and function areas, and to develop management plans to reach and maintain these standards.’’
The officials say they are considering options for ‘‘alternative governance and oversight’’ and ‘‘independent advice’’. This suggests the decisions over Premier House may be handed to a body that is not under the control of the prime minister – making decisions over whether or not to upgrade the properties less politically delicate.
They suggest that bringing forward planned investment could help the Covid-19 economic recovery by providing work for suppliers and businesses. ‘‘Potential opportunities include upgrades to the department’s facilities for receiving official parties at Auckland Airport; undertaking remediation work at Crown-owned properties; and installing charging infrastructure to support the electrification of the Crown fleet.’’
A Government spokesman said the description of the building came solely from Ministerial Services. ‘‘Any description of Premier House is a matter for Ministerial Services. But as a listed Heritage 1 building we do need to take care of it.’’