Gateway to New Zealand

“Only 40 hours by air from San Francisco and six from Sydney, Auckland New Zealand is on your doorstep.” In 1952, NZ tourism was also a long way from a core contributor to the national economy. A flying boat and passenger ship deposits visitors in the “Queen among cities” for this National Film Unit survey of Kiwi attractions. The potted tour takes in yachting, the beach, postwar housing shortage, school patrols, dam building and the War Memorial Museum, before getting out of town into dairy, racing and thermal wonderlands, where “you can meet some of our Māori people”.

But we live in much the same way as people do in cities everywhere. But you won't see skyscrapers or subways. Experts tell us the climate's semi-tropical which means it can rain sometimes ... but it clears up.

– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

Russell Reid

Director, Writer, Editor

Ron McIntyre

Camera