The body moved into Hulme Court on Parnell Rd, which was built in 1843 and is believed to be the town's oldest house still on its original site, and now has 20 full-time staff based in the antique Regency-style house.

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust considers the NZD3.6 million (£1.8 million/$3.1 million/€2.3 million) building, which is named after British solider William Hulme, who later became New Zealand's first Postmaster-General. of "outstanding historical significance".

Previous occupants have included former Prime Minister Frederick Whitaker, Anglican Bishop George Selwyn, Minister of Native Affairs Francis Dillon Bell and Governor Thomas Gore-Browne, who temporarily used the premises as Government House.

"Our Olympic teams are at the heart of New Zealand sporting and cultural history and we are delighted that our new home also shares a strong New Zealand connection," said Kereyn Smith, the NZOC's chief executive.

"While Harry Kerr was winning New Zealand's first Olympic medal in 1908 in London, Hulme Court was already a landmark property, right here in Parnell.

"We are incredibly grateful to the owners for this opportunity to tell the next chapter of New Zealand Olympic history Hulme Court.

"Our new home will meet our needs but also provide us with an opportunity to share meeting and function spaces with athletes and national sporting organisations.

"We will also look forward to displaying some of our important memorabilia on site, too."

New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smyth has overseen the organisation's move into their new headquarters Hulme Court ©Getty Images

Hulme Court had been advertised to rent at NZD4,000 (£2,030/$3,400/€2,500) a week and the NZ Herald reported it was the second most expensive rental property last June, but Smith claimed they were occupying it for much less.

The partly Government-funded body said it worked out cheaper to rent the building than corporate premises, with the savings being passed onto athletes hoping to compete at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

"I think he [the owner] felt that an organisation like us with our history and traditions is an appropriate fit for his place," Smith added.

"We're delighted that we've been able to reach a long-term arrangement."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2014: More funding needed for NZOC ahead of Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016