The Beehive: How We Got It and How to Get Into It

Victoria University of Wellington invites you to a two-part public lecture about the Beehive to be presented by Dr Robin Skinner from the School of Architecture and Professor Nigel Roberts from the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations.

In 1964 Sir Basil Spence presented the New Zealand public with the startling Beehive design. Despite jeers from the public and architects, the design found some favour, especially with the Prime Minister, Keith Holyoake. A year later Spence withdrew from the project leaving it to the Ministry of Works to complete. The circumstances of the design, Spence’s role and how events played out were hazy. However, over forty years of close examination reveals what took place during that time.

Robin Skinner, Associate Dean Research and Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture will present an intimate and surprising insight into the architectural and political scene in ’60s New Zealand.

Last year John Key promised New Zealanders ‘a chance to kick the tyres on MMP’. As a result, the National-led government announced last month that a referendum will be held in conjunction with the 2011 general election to ascertain what electors think about MMP and a range of alternatives.

Nigel Roberts, Professor of Political Science and New Zealand’s expert par excellence on voting systems, will talk about how various voting processes work.

Email rsvp@vuw.ac.nz with ‘Beehive’ in the subject line (acceptances only) or contact the Information Desk on 04-463 5810 to register your attendance by Friday 27 November.

Event listed by weivi

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