New Plymouth decorates the city for the Queen’s arrival 1953-54

This silent colour amateur home movie is part of the Caleb Wyatt collection. It depicts decorations in New Plymouth for the Queen’s visit in 1954

Street scenes of Devon Street in New Plymouth with trams, buses, cars, cyclists and pedestrians. Lines of bunting hang above the street and numerous buildings are decorated. The Mayfair picture theatre is adorned with red and white fabric, other building decorations include rosettes, ribbons, royal insignia, Union Jack flags, flowers and a large portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Recognisable businesses include Whites Limited, Teeds Chemist corner Currie Street, Broome & Lynch Menswear corner Liardet Street.

Various views of Devon Street. View along Queen Street towards Post Office clock tower, White Hart Hotel on left of picture.

Pan across rooftops to corner of Devon and Egmont Streets, with bunting strung between buildings. Elevated view across rooftops. Arches with greenery cross Liardet Street with greetings ‘HAERE MAI’, ‘WELCOME’ and farewells ‘HAERE RA’, ‘FAREWELL’ on either side and one with a giant floral crown.

Welcome sign. Decorations on front of New Plymouth Hospital Nurses Home, Barrett Street. Additional shots of arches with greenery.

5:16                                                                                                                   17/4/25

Credit Caleb Wyatt