Strong winds damage Wellington Botanic Garden's building

5:20 pm on 26 April 2024
Two glass panes at Wellington Botanic Garden's Begonia House were dislodged by strong winds on 25 April, 2024.

Two glass panes at Wellington Botanic Garden's Begonia House were dislodged by strong winds on 25 April, 2024. Photo: Facebook / Wellington Gardens

A landmark building in Wellington's Botanic Garden will be shut until the middle of next week after damage caused by high winds.

The Begonia House, built in 1960, contains several exotic plants and is a venue used for events such as weddings.

A heavy wind gust dislodged two glass panes from its roof on Thursday morning, when strong winds also forced the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to call off a wreath-laying service at Strathmore due to the winds.

Winds were gusting up to 109km/h on Anzac Day around Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, where an outdoors service was also cancelled.

The Botanic Garden's floral display area is also closed for repairs and safety assessments.

The Picnic Café in the building remains open.