This excerpt is the one of the few known surviving fragments of a number of motion pictures made during the HMS New Zealand's tour of New Zealand, the year before the outbreak of World War One.
The NZ Herald reported that thousands of Aucklanders turned out for HMS New Zealand’s arrival. The “day in itself was a gift from the Gods” and described “three massive funnels then all the huge grey bulk of battlecruiser... sullenly majestic, awful in portent, relentless as death itself.” The ship was greeted by “at the very least 250 craft, 200 of which were motor-boats of various types... Launch followed in the wake of lunch. Ferry-boats and steamers crowded on their sterns, intrepid men and boys tugged at oars of tiny dinghies and rowing boats, rowers in outriggers joined in the procession until so great was the traffic and the bewildering array of craft that the water was churned into white-crested waves and the smaller craft were tossed about like so many corks.” (New Zealand Herald, 30 April 1913, p.9).
Charles Newham shot this film from a small boat for his company Dominion (NZ) Film Manufacturing Company and released it to Hayward's Picture Theatre Lyric under the title "The Arrival of HMS New Zealand in Auckland". It also screened at Globe Continuous Pictures and the Queen’s Theatre. The film "was received by the patrons attending the theatre with many demonstrations of approval." (NZ Herald, 2 May 1913, p.5)
From notes by Chris Pugsley.
Intertitles: "AUCKLAND'S reception to the BATTLESHIP H.M.S. New Zealand."; “Arrival in Rangitoto Channel.”
View of HMS New Zealand arriving into Auckland Harbour, pan of ship from bow to stern, crew on deck. Views of HMS New Zealand with small boats around it, decked in festive flags. Wide angle views of HMS New Zealand.