Location
List Entry Information
Overview
Detailed List Entry
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7347
Date Entered
10th October 1996
Date of Effect
10th October 1996
City/District Council
Ruapehu District
Region
Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui) Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent of registration includes the land described as Lot 1 DP 5220 (RT WN390/42), Wellington Land District, and the building thereon known as Theatre Royal and its fixtures and fittings
Legal description
Lot 1 DP 5220 (RT WN390/42), Wellington Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7347
Date Entered
10th October 1996
Date of Effect
10th October 1996
City/District Council
Ruapehu District
Region
Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui) Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent of registration includes the land described as Lot 1 DP 5220 (RT WN390/42), Wellington Land District, and the building thereon known as Theatre Royal and its fixtures and fittings
Legal description
Lot 1 DP 5220 (RT WN390/42), Wellington Land District
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Historical/Social: The Royal, Raetihi, has local historical significance as a movie theatre, social focal point and, for five years, a temporary church for the people of this formerly isolated sawmilling and farming community.
Physical Significance
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Aesthetic: The building forms an important part of the streetscape of Raetihi's main road. Architectural: The Royal Picture Theatre is a solid concrete building designed and built in the Stripped Classical style. The symmetry of the facade has been compromised by a wooden projection box extending over the verandah, although this addition is reversible.
Detail Of Assessed Criteria
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The following comments are made in relation to the criteria identified under S.23(2) of the Historic Places Act 1993. b) The association of the place with events, persons, or ideas of importance in New Zealand history: The building was one of the few important structures to survive the disastrous fire of 18-19 March 1918, which razed one hundred and twenty houses and more than sixty commercial and industrial buildings. The screening of two film premiers, one for the acclaimed 'Skin Deep', gives the theatre some claim to more than local significance. The Royal was built in 1915 by local sawmiller, Mr John F. Punch, who arrived in Raetihi in April 1893 and established a sawmill on a site next door to where the theatre stands today. In 1928 it was sold by the Punch family to Harry Thompson, the theatre manager. It remained in the Thomson family until 1996, having closed two years earlier, when it was sold to a local charitable trust. The building was home to local theatre group the Phoenix Players from 2005-2021. The picture theatre formed an important focal point for any community throughout much of the twentieth century, and the Royal would appear to have had great social significance for this formerly isolated community. c) The potential of the place to provide knowledge of New Zealand history: The Royal demonstrates an important aspect of public entertainment and social interaction in Raetihi throughout much of the 20th century. g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: The Royal Picture Theatre is a solid concrete building designed and built in 1915 in the Stripped Classical style. Interesting details of the original design which are still visible on the main facade are the three large segmented Neo Georgian style windows on the ground floor which are followed through on the first floor by similarly segmented fanlights; four pilasters (fluted on the ground floor) running through two floors and terminating in parapets and a central gable bearing the legend "The Royal 1915", plus wrought iron verandah posts designed in the Corinthian order. The symmetry of the facade has been compromised by a wooden projection box extending over the verandah. The segmented window frame which now frames the projection box in the interior, once acted as an exit on to the balcony in the days of silent film. The interior of the Royal, with its 1940s single tier seating arrangement, is a relatively unadorned example of an early movie theatre. Conclusion: The Royal, 22 Seddon St, Raetihi, is recommended for registration as a Category II as a place of historical and cultural heritage significance and value. The Royal demonstrates an important aspect of public entertainment and social interaction in Raetihi throughout much of the twentieth century. The Stripped Classical style of the building, though compromised by a later addition, forms an important part of Raetihi's streetscape.
Construction Details
Start Year
1915
Type
Original Construction
Information Sources
New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT)
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
Report Written By
A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Central region office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Former Usages
General Usage:: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Cinema/movie theatre
General Usage:: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Opera House
General Usage:: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Theatre