Source: Radio New Zealand
Hāwera Cinema 2 trustee Aaron Foley says ticket sales have more than halved while costs have continued to rise. RNZ / Robin Martin
A Taranaki cinema complex – which made international headlines when it banned people wearing pyjamas and onesies from screenings – faces imminent closure if it cannot find new trustees.
But in a dramatic plot twist, more than 200 people turned up to a public meeting vowing to save Hāwera Cinema 2, which they said was a valuable community asset.
The twin-screened cinema – which had been a fixture on Princess Street since 1998 – employed a full-time manager and screened a selection of the latest blockbuster releases over as many as 10 sessions a day.
The Hāwera Cinema 2 Trust has run the theatre since 2007.
Spokesperson Aaron Foley said it barely made ends meet.
“Typically the cinema would have – prior to Covid – about 40,000 admits a year. Since Covid and at this point in time it’s a little under 20,000. So, fundamentally there’s been a significant shift in the consuming public’s behaviour.”
The cinema’s six trustees all planned to resign next week and if replacements were not found, the theatre would close at the end of March.
“We’ve arrived at a point where acting responsibly we think some pretty hard decisions need to be made. Our assessment is that we can’t carry on as we are.
“It’s a decision we don’t want to make. Nobody wants to see the cinema close, but that’s the reality of what we are facing.”
Foley said adopting a volunteer staffing model, reducing the number of movie sessions and screening new release movies later in their cycle were all options future trustees could explore – if any came forward.
The South Taranaki District Council owned the cinema building, which it bought when the original operator pulled out in the early 2000s.
It supported the theatre via $40,000, three quarters of which it got back as rent.
Councillor Andy Beccard – who organised the public meeting – was determined to save the complex.
“We have heard lots of rumour about what’s happening with it and whether it’s closing or not and we didn’t get any information exactly, so I thought if there is the possibility of the theatre closing the community needs to have some sort of say because they might come up with some good ideas or new trustees or whatever to carry it forward.”
South Taranaki district councillor Andy Beccard would like the Hāwera Cinema 2 complex to survive. RNZ / Robin Martin
He said the cinema complex, which included a bar serving gin from around the world, was a vital community hub.
“We are always struggling with keeping residents here. It’s a lovely place to be, but there’s not a lot for kids to do, not a lot for other people to do.
“If we close this then people will go through to New Plymouth to the movies and while they are there they’ll go out for a meal and we’ll just lose a lot of things you can do in Hāwera.”
Andy Beccard was noncommittal on whether a relaxation of the 2018 PJ ban would attract more customers.
“I don’t have an opinion on that. I don’t particularly like seeing people going to the supermarket in their jammies, but if that’s what they do that’s what they do, so no I don’t have an opinion on that.”
On the streets of Hāwera people most wanted the cinema to stay.
Gene was not happy.
“Sad, very sad. I’d like to see it stay, but I just don’t see enough people there.”
Bev was adamant.
“No, no it’s got to stay open. It’s an icon.”
Laura worried about young people.
“It wouldn’t be good because a lot of young people go to the movies and they’ll have nothing to do and you’ve got nothing to do in Hāwera as it is.”
Ōpunake visitor Kelly was not impressed.
“It would be very sad if it closed down. I did look up today for my children to go to, so yeah, it would be very sad.”
Calan was feeling nostalgic.
“I grew up in Pātea so when Hāwera cinema opened it was awesome for us, so there’s a lot of childhood memories for me.”
A man, who preferred not to give his name, did not think he would miss the theatre.
“Well if there were decent films it would be worthwhile going.”
Meanwhile, Beccard said the public meeting had resolved to form a working party to help find solutions for Hāwera Cinema 2’s financial worries and had identified enough volunteers to step up as trustees.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
