The New Zealand Centennial Exhibition took place in Rongotai, Wellington between the 8th of November 1939 and the 4th of May 1940. Around 2,641,043 visited the exhibition. This was extraordinary considering the population of New Zealand was 1,641,600 and it was overshadowed by World War II. Many communities throughout the country staged parades and pageants. There was a large celebration at Waitangi on the 6th February and there was a Centennial Historic Pageant at the Petone Recreation Ground. The focus of the exhibition was the pioneering spirit – past, present and future – and the wonders of material progress. Government Departments contributed exhibits to the Government court which was intended to show the benevolence of the benevolent state. Some of the exhibits were quite innovative. The health Dept had a walking, talking robot doctor, Dr Wellandstrong. The first building was the United Kingdom Court, which showed how closely attached New Zealand still was to “the mother country”. Despite this the main attractions for most people were to be found in Playland which featured a Crazy House and a roller coaster. After the exhibition the site was used for Air Force accommodation and then as a wool store before burning down in 1946.

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