$10.00

Over a million people have now ridden on the Driving Creek Railway, a unique narrow gauge mountain railway on the Coromandel Peninsula. Opened to the public in 1990, it was built by potter Barry Brickell to facilitate his forest restoration project, and then used to show the forest to visitors in a fun way. Driving Creek Railway and Potteries – the Unique World of Barry Brickell (2002/2008) was made by Hugh and ex NFU colleague David Sims to give visitors the history of the creation of the railway (much of it hand-built by Barry) and the environment in which it operates.

Saturday 15th March 2025 at 7pm

Supper of tea/coffee & biscuits will be provided following the screening.

$10.00

It is the remarkable story surrounding Robert ‘Baldy’ Baldwin’s long relationship with the Whanganui river.

It depicts his life from early school days when he experienced his first trip on an old Hatrick riverboat, to his time spent canoeing down the river as a guide, the building of his two steel riverboats and his subsequent recovery from a stroke, aided and abetted by his wife Trixie.

His stroke, happening just as his life long ambition of owning and operating a replica riverboat came to fruition, was ultimately overcome by his love of the river and his desire to share it with others in the boat he had recently built.

The film includes additional input from other people who have had a long involvement with the Whanganui River and this is truly a story about modern day river rats..

A trailer of the film can be viewed here https://youtu.be/1Nw_LuO9sg8

When Britain joined the Common Market in 1969, New Zealand suddenly had to start promoting itself to the world, and one of the ways it did so was to take part in Expo 70, in Osaka, Japan.

The star attraction at that event was a revolutionary 20-minute film ‘This is New Zealand’, made by the National Film Unit that introduced viewers to New Zealand in a glorious three-screen presentation.

With highly inventive camera work and editing, it showed everyone where we are, who we are, and – taking advantage of the super-widescreen format – what a spectacularly beautiful land we live in.

The film was seen by more than two million people at Expo 70, and by 350,000 more when it returned home afterwards. Hidden from view since that time, this landmark film has been given a stunning restoration by Archives New Zealand and Park Road Post, and it looks – and sounds better than it ever has before.

Peter Jackson, who saw this as a 10 year old with his school class, comments at the end of the trailer as to one of his lasting memories of the film.

‘This is New Zealand’ is now being re-released to cinemas beginning in the Wellington region from 3 July 2021 and thereafter around other parts of the nation.

The  trailer can be seen here https://youtu.be/Cseg8cmbiYI

 Recall the exciting days when the old paddle steamers plied their way up the two hundred and thirty nine rapids between Whanganui and Taumarunui.

In the years between 1912 and 1919, David Reid was an engineer on boats of the famous Hatrick fleet – among them being the Wairua, the Whakapai and the Wai-iti. These vessels were the lifeline, of the pioneer farms and Maori settlements of the river valley, besides being a vital link in the booming, Auckland – Wellington tourist system.

The spectacular, – and often hair-raising – three day journey downriver, between overhanging bush-topped bluffs, and along quiet willow-lined reaches, was for thousands of tourists from all parts of the world, the highlight of their visit.

David served on all three stretches of river; Whanganui to Pipiriki, Pipiriki to the Houseboat and the Houseboat to Taumarunui, and his nephew Alec has made a vivid story of his uncle’s recollections, skilfully re-creating the atmosphere, people and events of the almost forgotten world of the Whanganui Riverboats.

Winner of 2 International Film Festival Awards.

A trailer of the film can be viewed here https://youtu.be/-4Fgg4x-nPs