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Hoyts 10, Sylvia Park (Auckland). When it opened in 2007, it was claimed to have the largest 35 mm screen in the world.
Northland Complex, which suffered major million dollar range. For New Zealand, it saw As 2014 began, it was all quiet on the Hoyts
damage, did not reopen until November. Icon Productions move their films away from front. Whilst the company is still for sale, no
Hoyts and over to Roadshow Distributors. moves have been made to facilitate a sell off,
In October 2010, the company increased but time will tell.
prices for adults and students for 3-D films to PEP, which owned 90% of Hoyts, with
$20, and $19 for 2-D. In December, Hoyts financier The International Capital Group On 12 December 2014, China's I.D. Leisure
booker Mark Chamberlain departed the owning the rest, announced that they would International Capital announced plans to buy
company to be replaced by Sonia Ewan from again explore an exit from the company in Australia's second largest cinema chain, the
Metropolis Films. 2013. This September statement went almost Hoyts Group, from owners Pacific Equity
unnoticed by the news media. Partners (PEP) for A$900 million, which also
22 February 2011 saw Christchurch included Hoyts New Zealand. The sale was
devastated by another earthquake, this one on August 2013 saw Hoyts 20 year lease on the finalised on 23 December 2014 at the agreed
a massive scale which damaged and closed all Octagon come to an end. Officially, the lease price of A$900 million.
cinemas (except Movieland Hornby, which ended on 30 September but Hoyts closed the
continued to screen). Hoyts Riccarton re- cinema on 21 August, spending the next few The sale was a relief for owners PEP, who
opened on 19 March, as did the Northland weeks stripping the place bare. Although were desperate to sell and had planned to float
screens. However, Hoyts temporarily reduced there had been a cinema in the Octagon since Hoyts on the open market in early 2015.
Riccarton from 7 screens to 5. Hoyts 1912, the $6 million dollar Hoyts complex Instead a quick sale solved all problems and
Moorhouse and the Regent on Worcester was opened in 1993. The Octagon Building gave them a nice profit.
both suffered significant damage and did not was sold in June 2007 for $7.6 million to a
reopen. Hoyts 8 Moorhouse was demolished, Wellington property company, Landplan I.D. Leisure International did not hold on to
as was the Regent on Worcester in July 2011. Property Partners Ltd., a company owned by Hoyts for long. On 3 June 2015, it sold the
Reading Properties (N.Z.) Ltd. It is believed company to Wanda Cinema Line for the
The company's balance sheet for New in film circles that Reading refused to renew original price paid. It turned out that I.D.
Zealand to 30 June 2011 showed gross Hoyts lease, as for some time they had been Leisure International were acting as brokers
income of $52.4 million. looking to expand their South Island locations. for the Chinese Dalian Wanda Group, a large
A milestone was reached for Hoyts when, on cinema and property conglomerate.
The new multi-million dollar 6 screen 3-D 21 August 2013, they screened their last
Hoyts Cinema Complex at Te Awa, 35 mm film in New Zealand, The location was For Hoyts, at least in New Zealand, nothing
Hamilton opened in August with more than Hoyts Hibiscus Coast and the film was And has changed. It’s still business as usual. Green
1400 seats, and enjoyed an Australasian first Now You See Me. The honour to present the tea and chop suey have not yet replaced
with the installation of motion chairs. The screening went to Technical manager popcorn and coke at the refreshment counter,
novelty of this new technology even brought Anthony Mitchell. but who can predict the future. ¬
movie-goers down from Auckland to enjoy
the experience. The largest auditorium seats In October 2013, Hoyts spread their wings in As at November 2015, Hoyts had a total of 10
450 and the 26 metre wide screen is the Hamilton with Metro by Hoyts based on an complexes and 63 screens in New Zealand.
country's biggest digital screen, second only American style of cinema going. The venue
in total size to Hoyts Sylvia Park. A feature served up a unique concept in movie dining NORTH ISLAND
of the new cinemas was New Zealand's first and entertainment, offering five digital Wairua Park, Auckland 8 screens
4K digital projector and 7.1 digital sound. The cinemas and a renewed focus on the culinary Sylvia Park, Auckland 10 screens
public opening of Te Awa six screens took experience while movie-watching. American Te Awa, Hamilton 6 screens
place on 18 August 2011 with the world themed diner-style food options are available Hoyts Metro, Hamilton 5 screens
premiere of the New Zealand film for patrons. Hoyts new policy at the Metro is
Hoyts 8, Botany Downs 8 screens
Billy T: D’Movie. strictly enforced, with no texting, twitter, cell
phone use or talking by patrons allowed in the Hoyts 4, Mission Bay 4 screens
In April 2012, David Kirk, chairman of auditoriums. After a warning, people will be Hoyts 4, Takapuna 4 screens
Hoyts 5, Hibiscus Coast 5 screens
Hoyts, announced that plans to float the firm asked to leave. If they refuse, security guards
on the open market had been put on hold. will be called. With this location, Hoyts are
also following an overseas trend and refusing SOUTH ISLAND
In mid July, Hoyts divested its film admission after the show has started. The Northland, Christchurch 6 screens
distribution Australasian business, selling it to company also has an air tight deal in place Riccarton, Christchurch 7 screens
European production and distribution giant regarding the screening of arthouse films in
StudioCanal who is closely linked to the Hamilton, putting the independent Lido in a Credits:
American conglomerate Universal. Although difficult position.
Hoyts would not disclose the price, it was Images from David Lascelles collection and the
reported to be in the A$20 million to A$30 CATHS Archive.

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