New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Poster

New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Poster

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The Ephemera Collection has recently received a most welcome donation from the Bank of New Zealand Archives. This is a poster promoting the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition and the art deco design and construction work of its architect and contractors, and shows a concept drawing by architect Ron Muston, of a large open courtyard at the Exhibition.

Many smartly dressed visitors enjoy the exhibition’s facilities and product displays, and there is a wonderful optimism in the sculptures and the golden sky of concentric bands and the date "1940" shining over all. It is a vivid example of the spirit alive even as the country entered the first year of the Second World War.

This particular courtyard vision seems not to have been realised exactly in the final Exhibition building. The focus on cement and concrete in the foreground of the picture and the name of the building firm Fletcher & Love, shows the architects’ and builders’ preoccupation.

Muston was a partner in Walker and Muston, an architectural firm with offices in Wellington and Auckland. Edmund Anscombe (whose name also appears on the poster) was the overall architect of the Centennial Exhibition, and three of his designs (quite unlike the present poster) were reproduced in the Evening Post of 6 July 1939.

The poster shows displays by individual manufacturers. There were more than 300 private exhibits in the New Zealand Manufacturing Industries Court, the General Exhibits Court, and the Electrical and Engineering Court. Mayor Hislop praised private exhibitors for their achievements despite "the uncertainty engendered by the war, acute financial problems, and, many other adverse conditions" (Evening Post, 1 November 1939).

The builders and architects were thanked for their contribution. The Evening Post of 14 October 1939 reported, "Four hundred specially invited guests filled the Centennial Exhibition Cabaret... when the management gave a private dance... there was much to interest the guests in the modern lighting and the charming interior decorations. Neutral walls and azure pillars, surmounted by shaded lights made a perfect setting for the many lovely frocks worn, and supper was served at the smart red and black cabaret tables surrounding the dance floor and furnishing the balcony".

Mr and Mrs Muston were amongst the guests, along with the foremen and leading carpenter hands and suppliers who had been associated with the building of the Cabaret.

This image is reproduced with the permission of Walker Group Architects Ltd, Auckland.

Barbara Lyon, Curator Ephemera

Permission of Walker Group Architects Ltd, Auckland, must be obtained before any reuse of this image