After many years of institutional use, by the 1980s the building had fallen into disrepair.
It was rescued from this decline by Michael Bassett, Minister of Internal Affairs, who initiated moves for the restoration of the building to its early grandeur.

The restoration was undertaken by Auckland's Grant Group Architects and L.T. McGuinness Construction between December 1989 and 1991.
The internal walls were retained and all rooms and most passages were left in their original position.
Fire sprinklers, central heating and air conditioning systems were installed along with a new hydraulic lift.
The interior decoration carefully reproduces many 19th-century period features, while the overall design is modern.
The decor includes a considerable collection of New Zealand art, both old and new.

The conservation of Premier House, as it was renamed, was a 1990 Sesquicentennial project.
That year Geoffrey Palmer and his wife, Margaret, became its first official residents.
In 2018 the house was upgraded, with repairs and maintenance undertaken, at a cost of NZ$3 million.
After many years of institutional use, by the 1980s the building had fallen into disrepair. It was rescued from this decline by Michael Bassett, Minister of Internal Affairs, who initiated moves for the restoration of the building to its early grandeur.
The restoration was undertaken by Auckland's Grant Group Architects and L.T. McGuinness Construction between December 1989 and 1991. The internal walls were retained and all rooms and most passages were left in their original position. Fire sprinklers, central heating and air conditioning systems were installed along with a new hydraulic lift. The interior decoration carefully reproduces many 19th-century period features, while the overall design is modern. The decor includes a considerable collection of New Zealand art, both old and new.
The conservation of Premier House, as it was renamed, was a 1990 Sesquicentennial project. That year Geoffrey Palmer and his wife, Margaret, became its first official residents. In 2018 the house was upgraded, with repairs and maintenance undertaken, at a cost of NZ$3 million.
Premier House