About the Images on this Page

A Bit Mr Churchill˳ Way (c.1974)
Pacific Films
Pacific Films Collection, NZFA

Robert Muldoon – Prime Minister of New Zealand 1975-1984 – stars in a promotional documentary made in the year leading up to the 1975 general election. The documentary explores Muldoon’s leadership style, humour in politics, National’s superannuation scheme, the failings of the Labour Government, Bob Tizard and Australian politics.

The Wreck of the Star of Canada (1912)
Cameraman unknown; Dominion Film Company
NZFA Stills Collection

Image shows the steamer Star of Canada grounded off the coast of Gisborne. On 23 June, 1912, a southerly squall blew the steamer onto Kaiti Beach. Before the ship’s boilers could be fired up, the ship struck a rock and began taking in water. The local tug Hipi could do little to assist in the weather conditions and was forced to leave the ship to its fate. Some cargo was salvaged, but the Star of Canada eventually sank.

This Is Television (c.1960)
Ansell & Associates; Pacific Films (Melbourne)
Pacific Films Collection, NZFA

This image shows behind the scenes at an early television station, in a promotional film for television in Australia. The film contains footage of the Astor Factory where TV sets are designed and assembled. A television station and equipment is shown, as well as a programme in production in the studio. The film also has extracts from popular programmes of the era such as Leave it to Beaver, Dragnet and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Dannevirke Industrial Fair (1958)
Camera: WT Knowles
NZFA Stills Collection

This image is of an intertitle introducing the ‘Miss Dannevirke Contest’, one of the highlights of the 1958 Dannevirke Industrial Fair. Contestants paraded in fashion of the day, and then lined up on stage for the final judging before the winner was crowned. Other Fair events filmed by WT Knowles include the opening speech by Prime Minister Holyoake, a Mannequin Parade, and a Quiz Show.

Waitara Borough 50th Jubilee 1904-1955 (1955)
Filmmaker unknown
NZFA Stills Collection

This image shows bowls of jelly. These were given to crowds of local school children in celebration of Waitara Borough’s Jubilee. The film documents a week of celebrations culminating in a parade to mark the Jubilee in 1955. The celebrations filmed include a river regatta, church service, historic fashion show and a Grand Parade.

TV Family (c1960)
Filmmaker unknown
NZFA Stills Collection

This advertising image was reproduced for the Film Centre’s permanent exhibition Tracking Time. Depicting a nuclear family gathered around a television, the image captures not only the social standards of its era, but also the way early television was presented as a family entertainment.

Backch@t (1998-2000)
Gibson Group
NZFA Stills Collection

Features presenter, Bill Ralston, on the set of the weekly New Zealand arts programme, Backch@t, from the episode screened on 8 August, 1999. The subjects under discussion that week included a new production of Foreskin’s Lament, the Christchurch Arts Festival, and a review of the book Don’t Let it Get You, written by filmmaker John O’Shea.