The Old High Court - Restoration

In 1993 the Wellington High Court moved out of the Stout Street building. Although it is a Category 1 historic building its future hung in the balance. The building deteriorated after being empty for 14 years due to a lack of maintenance, water damage, and vandalism.

Restoration of the Old High Court was undertaken when a permanent home for the new Supreme Court was planned on the Lambton Quay end of the block; this now forms part of the Supreme Court complex.

The old masonry structure was protected from seismic activity by cutting it off its old foundations and installing 130 base isolators.

Removing the old foundations

Base isolator

Care was taken to protect the kauri and rimu timber staircase and wall panelling while the structural work was completed.

Public foyer during the restoration

Public foyer after the restoration

Courtroom No. 1 during the restoration

Courtroom No. 1 after restoration

As a Category 1 historic building, the Old High Court had to be restored as close as possible to how it was when it was built, but be fit for modern use. The staircases and wall panelling are kauri and rimu but when the building was built the timber was stained with a dark stain so it would resemble English timber; at the restoration the wood was restained out of respect for this.

The Old High Court reopened in 2010. The office space in the building is now used for staff working for the Office of the Chief Justice. They are responsible for judicial development across all courts, supporting the senior judiciary and for the Courtsofnz website. The courtroom is used as a ceremonial courtroom for Wellington. 

There is no public access to the building, however guided tours are available. Email tours@justice.govt.nz to find out when the next guided tour is planned. 

Before the restoration

After the restoration

Find a PDF version of this page for download here:
Information sheet: The Old High Court - Restoration (PDF, 1.7 MB)