The Parliament Oak is a relic of the early plantings at Government House Gardens. Although not of great stature, this lone tree makes a significant contribution to the landscape by attracting attention from the otherwise sterile features of the surrounding area (Mole 1982).

The oak is situated in an area that was at one time the front garden of the former gardener’s cottage. Its exact provenance of the tree is uncertain but it is believed to have been planted in the 1860s. It is possible that it was grown from an acorn sent from the Cape of Good Hope by Governor Grey[1], although it may also have been the progeny of the oaks that had been planted by Colonel Wakefield in 1841. The tree, now enclosed in a protective fence has occupied this location for over 150 years (pers. comm. by email: L. Beaumont, 2019).
Reference:
[1] John E. Martin, ‘Status of old oak tree in Museum Street’, May 2017.

This tree was saved by public protest in 1986-87 from being moved 10 metres to accommodate a new building which was eventually not built (Flook 1993).

References: Evening Post Wellington. 17 January 1987.17 January 1987. 10 February 1987. 10 July 1987. 18 July 1987. 7 August 1987. 27 August 1987. 15 November 1987. 17 November 1987. Cartoon by Heath. 18 November 1987. 18 November 1987. Leader. 18 November 1987. Interview.19 November 1987. 20 November 1987. 21 November 1987. 22 November 1987. 25 November 1987. 8 December 1987. 28 February 1988. Dominion Wellington. 15 November 1986. 25 November 1986. 9 December 1986. 4 February 1987. The Listener. 17 January 1987. Article by Bruce Ainsley.