The Regent cinema was built in 1918, and is the third oldest provincial cinema in the country.  It had been closed for over a decade and reopened in April 2022. 

 

The Regent Cinema is registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust Board as a category two building in recognition of its historical and cultural heritage significance.  The Regent was New Zealand's only provincial theatre from the World War I era to have remained open continuously, apart from short periods for repair and refurbishment.

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Its history goes back to January 14, 1919, when it opened as the Arcadia Picture Theatre with Douglas Fairbanks in “A Modern Musketeer”.   The Arcadia had come about due to a large fire which razed much of the town in 1917, and the drive of local businessmen to create something new. Local architects Jorgensen and Allen use the Spanish Mission and Art Deco Styles that were new in New Zealand, this theatre was constructed 14 years before both were liberally applied to the rebuild of Napier and Hastings following the earthquake there.

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The cinema was refurbished in 1932 and renamed The Deluxe Theatre and by 1952 it became the Regent Cinema with 650-seats on a stadium plan with a stepped raised section at the rear, rather than the usual balcony seating. It was operated by Kerridge-Odeon”.

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The 218-seat stadium cinema has digital projection, Dolby Sound and a 29-feet wide screen.

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"The cinema was reopened in April 2022 after closure more than a decade earlier. A small team of enthusiastic volunteers worked hard to bring the cinema back to operational standards and hosting the grand reopening on 23rd April 2022.

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For 5 months the cinema was run by a small group of volunteers ultimately leading to the formation of the Dannevirke Regent Cinema Incorporated in September 2022."

 

The Dannevirke Regent Cinema is now run by a group of 25+ passionate local volunteers.

 

 

Run for the community,
by the community