Page 24 - CR

May 6-21
NEW ZEALAND 2010

he CATHS tour to New Zealand Travelling through the centre of the The group took a wonderful
Tproved to be an outstanding success island we arrived in the Hastings and walking tour of Napier’s art deco
for the participants. Our first tour back Napier area. This area suffered treasures including the Municipal
in 2000 included parts of the South enormous damage in the earthquake of Theatre (former Town Hall).
Island, based on Christchurch, and the 1931 and the reconstruction was Unfortunately none of the post
southern part of the North Island influenced by the art deco style. earthquake cinemas were still
(Wellington to Auckland). Our second operating, although the facades still
tour in 2005 featured an extensive tour stood.
of the South Island travelling as far The next gem was to be found on
south as Invercargill and the west coast. The Broadway, in Palmerston North.
This year’s tour was arranged and This was the restored Regent Theatre,
capably led by our Secretary, Mike built by the former J.C.Willamson
Trickett. The NZ Film Buffs, along circuit. It is of typical Regent style and
with some CATHS NZ members, is now mainly used for live shows. It is
hosted our group as well as assisted in promoted as the Regent on Broadway.
arranging our visits. The sixteen days
Top of Page: The Magnificent Civic Theatre at Auckland.
included twenty one visits to cinemas
Above & Below: The Regent at Palmerston North. All Pics by James Barrand.
and theatres (operational and closed).
Of course there were the usual “drive
bys”, and some members even
managed to find and photograph
additional venues.
The tour included most of the North
Island and commenced in Wellington.
We were guests of the New Zealand
Films Buffs at their Wellington
conference and were shown great
hospitality. We were privileged to visit
the private cinema of the world famous
director, Peter Jackson. Situated in
Miramar, this was a stylish, eastern
themed atmospheric, seating about 200.
Unfortunately, photos were not
permitted. The famous Embassy and
theatres were also visited.

24 2010 CINEMARECORD