Pavilion of N.Z. popular

Press, 2 May 1988, Page 2

Pavilion of N.Z. popular

By

ROBERT LOWE,

NZPA Correspondent in Brisbane

New Zealand’s pavilion at World Expo ’BB is proving a star attraction, with visitors queuing, for up to 90 minutes to get in, said the deputy commissionergeneral, Mr Don Hutchings, yesterday.

He said a “preview day” held by Expo organisers a week ago indictated that the pavilion would draw the crowds. “But if anything, things are going better than we thought,” he said. “On opening day the New Zealand pavilion was one of only five that had a queue. “It is still early days yet, but I think we are going to achieve what we set out to do — be among the half dozen most popular pavilions at Expo.” Mr Hutchings said more than 1000 people of all nationalities were going through the New Zealand pavilion each hour. The title of Expo ’BB is “Leisure in the age of technology,” and the New Zealand sub-theme is “New Zealand through the eyes of youth.” Mr Hutchings said there was one hitch on day one, that caused some anxiety.

Aboriginal protesters from throughout Australia begin five days of activities in Brisbane in protest against the six-month exposition. The sAust6oo million event has 53 Government pavilions, 34 corporate exhibitions and two theme pavilions. Organisers said about 90,000 went' through the turnstile on the first day.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s arrival on site by barge was preceded by a parade from City Hall to the Expo site. Waterski-ing, aerial flypasts, coloured balloons, fireworks, pigeons and folk dancing were features of the opening ceremony.

The Queen, on a 22-day tour of Australia to mark the country’s bicentenary, told 6000 special guests that world fairs — the first was the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London in 1851 — recorded revolutionary changes by mankind. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke, in his speech, thanked the organisers but made no mention of the former Queensland Premier, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, a political opponent who was one of the special guests.

“Someone seemed to spirit away a lot of our water, which was a problem since our pavilion relies a lot on water.

"We thought we had sprung a leak, and it meant our design director, Logan Brewer, spent some time racing around to find its source.

"But just as mysteriously as it arose, the problem disappeared. Luckily, we had enough water to make it through in the meantime.”

As the ceremonials were taking place, about 3000 Aboriginals began a march that went past the Expo site to Musgrave Park. The marchers waved Aboriginal flags and banners and chanted for land rights.

Expo ’BB was opened by the Queen under sunny skies and in temperatures in the mid-20s deg. C. At the same time,