The Government Buildings Historic Reserve, often known as the Old Government Buildings, is located on Wellington's Lambton Quay. It was finished in 1876 and was the world's second-largest wooden building until 1998. (after Todai-ji in Nara, Japan). The building is now home to several government agencies including the Prime Minister's Office, which moved into its new headquarters on Lower Wakefield Road in December 1997. Before that, it was also used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and before that, the New Zealand Parliament. The old parliament buildings are still preserved as a museum for those who want to learn more about our former legislature. The Old Government Buildings are considered an important example of Victorian architecture in New Zealand. They were built at a time when Europe was going through a period of massive change and construction of large buildings using steel instead of wood was becoming popular. The site they stand on was once part of a large swamp called "Wairau Marsh". In the early 19th century, this area was inhabited by many tribes of indigenous people who had never been contacted by Europeans before. The first permanent white settlers arrived in 1839 and by 1846, most of Wairau Marsh had been sold by the government to European farmers.