George Farrant, conservation architect for the Auckland City Council writes:

    "I have finally completed the restoration of the Civic's great Arnold Zimmerman three-lobed painting - quite an effort, as 150 mm was missing from the top of the side wings, and 350 mm from the central section - removed in the 1975 'restoration' when the painting was first taken from its wall to build a food service counter in that location, and the simplified painting then being stored on one end of the theatre's foyer.

  With the restoration of those parts of the Civic, the way was clear to fully restore first the painting itself, and then the painting's fantastic gilded plaster frame.

  I have now completed the first part - after sage advice from Sarah Hillary (Auckland Art Gallery's chief conservator) on some finer points of restoration, I have built back these lost areas of this huge artwork, and restored the missing image content based on the only known early colour photograph, in the 'New Zealand Womens' Weekly' of October 1975. I have done the restoring at no cost, in my own time, and it will be my gift to the theatre.

  It is a visual delight to see the painting looking complete for the first time in 38 years, and work will start now on replicating the huge frame, which promises to be the jewel on the crown of the Civic's foyer"

George has been indefatigable in the pristine restoration of this iconic building and will be the guide during the ‘Open day” Heritage Tours later this month.

                  September 19th-21st will be the Civic Open Days this year.   A wonderful opportunity to tour and visit the theatre, learn its history, and see a classic movie.  Afterwards descend to the Wintergarden for music and dancing!  Remember to keep those dates free

ps. I regret the advertising on the site, but I am dependent upon the kindness of strangers and have had to economise!