$43m tart-up at country's flashest state house proceeds apace

Tradesmen refurbish the ballroom at Government House. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The biggest project in the Government's upgrade of state houses is well under way - the $43.4 million refurbishment of Government House.

The initial $47.4 million budget was cut 10 per cent soon after National came to power, including deferring a new visitors' centre and a parking area.

Yesterday, journalists toured the building, whose category-one heritage status restricts the scope of the project.

The weatherboards have been stripped back to bare wood and builders are trying to retain the original building materials wherever possible.

Among problems facing the contractors is clearing away asbestos built into the plaster. The building will be earthquake-strengthened and have new pipes and wiring.

The Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Susan Satyanand are staying at Vogel House in Lower Hutt during the restoration.