In the heart of Wellington's Botanic Gardens stands a structure that represents far more than its glass walls and delicate plants might suggest. 

The Begonia House, now facing potential demolition, is not merely a greenhouse – it is a living testament to Wellington's cultural heritage, community spirit, and artistic soul. As our city grapples with post-pandemic financial pressures, we risk losing an irreplaceable piece of our cultural landscape.

Once it's demolished... it's gone.

The Begonia House is more than just a building – it's a thread in the complex tapestry of the Garden's identity, one that has been carefully woven since its establishment in the 1860s.

The Wellington Sculpture Trust chose this space to house works by Paul Dibble, while the Henry Moore sculpture on the Salamanca lawn above the rose gardens creates a dialogue between art and nature that defines the gardens' character.

Wellington Botanic Gardens are a beautiful mix of the formal and informal, native bush and the large tree framework providing the perfect backdrop for the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Begonia House.

The building serves practical functions too, offering welcome shelter from Wellington's famously temperamental weather and providing accessible cultural facilities with good parking – features that make culture truly democratic and available to all. But it's true value lies in how it brings together different aspects of Wellington's community that have developed the Garden through their labour, advocacy and financial support.  

You can't just pick and choose what to keep – it works as a whole. 

This wisdom applies not just to the gardens but to our broader cultural heritage. When we start dismantling cultural spaces piece by piece, we don't just lose buildings – we lose the connections, memories, and community bonds they foster.

The financial pressures facing Wellington City Council are real and substantial but there is a middle path - maintain the fabric until we can afford to refurbish it in the way it deserves. 

This approach acknowledges both our financial constraints and our responsibility to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

The Begonia House represents a style of city-building that we risk losing – one where cultural spaces are created through community effort, maintained through public care, and enriched through artistic contribution. Its potential loss would not just be architectural but deeply cultural, removing a space where art, nature, and community have intertwined for generations.

As Wellington's creative community, we have a responsibility to speak up for spaces that nurture our city's cultural life. The Begonia House is not just about preserving the past – it's about maintaining the kind of city we want for our future: one where cultural heritage is valued, where art and nature coexist, and where community-built spaces are protected for generations to come.