Story: Exhibitions and world’s fairs

New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, 1925–26 (1st of 3)

New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, 1925–26

These two photos show the same scene of the Grand Court of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition in Dunedin by day and by night. The scene by day shows the Festival Hall in the distance, while in front are flags, reflecting pools and a band rotunda, which made this a major gathering point for the thousands of visitors. This was the most popular exhibition in New Zealand history. The scene at night shows the spectacular lighting showcasing the power of electricity, which was becoming more widely available in the 1920s. The lighting also provided a beacon across the city and created a sense of progress into the future. The exhibition was held at Logan Park.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: L. S. Fanning, The pictorial history, N. Z. and South Seas Exhibition, Dunedin 1925–26. Dunedin: Coulls Somerville Wilkie, 1926, pp. 12, 105. (B-K-1106-012; B-K-1106-105)

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Exhibitions and world’s fairs - New Zealand exhibitions, 1900 onwards', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/45444/new-zealand-and-south-seas-exhibition-1925-26 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 22 Oct 2014