On 17 July 1964 the Government Life Building opened in Cathedral Square. One of my favourite photos in our entire collection is this one of its construction. workers on top of Government Life. It is the Ōtautahi version of the famous Lunch atop a Skyscraper (New York Construction Workers Lunching on a Crossbeam).

In the 1965 photo above, you can see it is 1:52pm.

Post earthquakes, Mike Hewson’s artwork Government Life Suspension reflected the building back for us.


The Government Life building is currently being demolished.
See more:
- Government Life Building First Floor Plan, 21 November 1960
- Government Life Building East & South Elevation, 21 November 1960
- Our Government Life images on Flickr.