Auckland to Rotorua (23 Dec 1953- 6 Jan 1954)

map of route

Map of route - click for enlargement

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AUCKLAND, 1953

Wednesday, December 23

A.M.� S.S. Gothic berthed Auckland.

[ Camera icon film clip of Royal couple disembarking (2.3mb) - lower quality version (805kb). About this film ]

Government address of welcome.� Her Majesty and His Royal Highness set foot in New Zealand and were officially welcomed, Auckland Civic Reception, Town Hall.

 

Royals drive down a crowded Queen Street

The royal entourage drives up Queen Street to the civic reception on the morning of the Queen's arrival
(click on image for more detail)

[headphones Hear sound file of Queen's progress up Queen Street ] [ transcript ] *

[headphones The Queen's speech ] [ transcript ]*

[ Camera icon film clip of Queen Street welcome and visiting hospital (2.44mb) - lower quality version (861kb). About this film ]

P.M.� Presentation of official tour and press parties.� Garden party, Government House.

Thursday, December 24

A.M.� Auckland Hospital, Youth gathering, Auckland Domain.

'I was eighteen and a member of a marching team, one of the many at the Domain in Auckland, assembled in blocks with lots of other young peoples organisations, in the centre field waiting for our queen to arrive. While we were waiting, my Scots friend, also about eighteen, sat and explained to me why she as a Scot would not, could not, feel excited about Elizabeth as she was not, in reality, HER Queen let alone Queen Elizabeth II as true Scots had never even recognised the first Elizabeth ........etc. etc. Finally, Elizabeth arrived and I, looking at her with curiosity, saw her look back at us as Philip said ..and you could see what he was saying ..., "Who are they?" and her reply that we were, "marching teams." Unheard of in Britain and at that time unique to NZ. I can only think that that conversation between them had the effect of unleashing some sort of latent emotion because my Scots chum emitted what can only be described as a throaty roar of patriotism, wonderful in its intensity and then charged like a wounded bull out of our designated area, trying to barge like an All Black through another block of people in front to get even closer.'
Caroline Woon

P.M.� Presentation of Colour, Devonport Naval Base.� Garden reception, Government House.

Friday, December 25

A.M.� Divine Service, St. Mary�s Cathedral.

Queen sitting at desk reading from notes

The Queen delivers her Christmas message from Government House, Auckland
(Click on image for more detail)

P.M.� Her Majesty�s Christmas Broadcast.

Saturday, December 26

A.M.-P.M.� Auckland Racing Club, Ellerslie.

Queen at the races

Race-goers prefer to watch the Royal Couple rather than the horses during the Auckland Racing Club's meeting at Ellerslie on Boxing Day 1953
(click on image for more detail)

P.M.� Royal Cinema Performance, St. James Theatre.

Sunday, December 27

A.M.� Divine Service, St. Mary�s Cathedral.

Monday, December 28

A.M.� Presentation of Colour, R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Whenuapai.� By plane to Kaikohe � public welcome.

The Queen is welcomed at Waitangi with a powhiri
(click on image for more detail)

P.M.� By car to Waitangi � ceremony, Whangarei � civic reception.

'I remember the Queens visit to Whangarei, Northland. I was about 6 years of age then and the Royal Party was staying at the Grand Hotel. In the evening our family walked - about 20 minutes or so - to the Hotel and with many others chanted, "We want the Queen, we want the Queen" This had no response, (they were most probably having dinner) so the chant changed to "We want the Duke, we want the Duke". This seemed to work as they soon appeared on the balcony to the loud cheers of the crowd. I was sitting on my father's shoulders so had a great view. I remember they looked very happy, and there was a wonderful feeling in the crowd.'
Margaret Lomas

Tuesday, December 29

A.M.� By car Whangarei to Warkworth � public welcome.

P.M.� By car to Puhoi Beach � picnic, and Auckland.� Investiture, Town Hall.

Wednesday, December 30

A.M.� By car to Pukekohe � public welcome.

P.M.� By car to Alton Lodge, Te Kauwhata � lunch, Huntly � public welcome, Turangawaewae, Ngaruawahia � visit pa, and Hamilton � civic dinner and youth fiesta.

Thursday, December 31

A.M.� Hamilton � civic reception and agricultural display, Claudelands Show Grounds.

P.M.� By car to Te Kuiti � public welcome.

A.M.-P.M.� H.R.H by air to Wellington � funeral of victims, Tangiwai railway accident.� Return to Waitomo Caves.

[ Camera icon film clip of visit to Waitomo Caves and Karapiro (2.73mb) - lower quality version (954kb). About this film ]

P.M.� By car to Waitomo Caves � visit Aranui Cave and Waitomo Glow-worm Cave.

1954

Friday, January 1

A.M.� By car Waitomo Caves to Te Awamutu � public welcome, and Cambridge � public welcome and civic luncheon.

[headphones Description of reception at Tirau and the use of flowers to celebrate the Queen's visit ]* [ transcript ]

P.M.� By car to Karapiro Hydro-electric Station � inspection Tirau � public welcome, and �Moose Lodge�, Lake Rotoiti.

Saturday, January 2

A.M.� Rotorua � civic reception, Motutara Golf Course, and civic luncheon.

Prince Philip in Maori cloak receives gift

The Duke of Edinburgh receives a gift during the Maori reception at Rotorua
(Click on image for more detail)

P.M.� Maori reception, Arawa Park, Rotorua.

Sunday, January 3

A.M.� Divine Service, St. John�s Presbyterian Church, Rotorua.

P.M.� Whakarewarewa model village and thermal activity.

[ Camera icon film clip of visit to Whakarewarewa (2.4mb) - lower quality version (853kb). About this film ]

Monday, January 4 � Tuesday, January 5

At �Moose Lodge�, Lake Rotoiti � no official engagements.

Wednesday, January 6

A.M.� By car �Moose Lodge� to Rotorua and plane to Gisborne � civic reception.

P.M.� By air to Napier � civic reception.� H.R.H. to Hawke�s Bay Ex-naval Officers.


* Sound recordings from a radio documentary made a year after the Queen's arrival in New Zealand, 'Royal Visit Highlights 1953-54', ref D 548/3-5.
Provided by Sound Archives/Nga Taonga Korero,
Copyright © Radio New Zealand

Copyright © Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Wellington, New Zealand
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