The 12.44pm train from Takapu Road Station into central Wellington (running about 15 minutes late) was full. Like me, many people were taking the opportunity to see the parade which preceded the worldwide premiere of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King', the third and final in the trilogy. Some of us haven't actually seen either of the first two yet!* That didn't stop us wanting to be part of the big occasion at which some 100,000 onlookers were expected.

On the day the place to be was Courtenay Place where 470 metres of red carpet led up to the venue of the 'official screening', the newly-refurbished Embassy Theatre. For a good view close to the action, the keener ones had claimed their place early in the morning, if not the night before.

The parade left from Parliament Buildings (where some of the earlier photos below are set), went along Lambton Quay, Willis St, wound through to Manners St, and then along Courtenay Place. To see a map of the parade route (courtesy of the Dominion Post), click here. Many of us were happy enough to view proceedings near the start of the parade where one could grab a front row spot with less than 45 minutes to wait. Having sampled something of the atmosphere in a very festive Courtenay Place 90 minutes before the 3.30pm parade commencement (and wondering what kind of view those waiting 9 or 10 deep would enjoy), I returned to Lambton Quay (near Willis St) where the parade photos below were taken.

At this stage the names of the various players are not stated below - I admit that I don't know who all of them are. The outfits worn by many of the characters were most impressive, which one would expect with a multi-million dollar budget). All in all it was well worth the effort to be there, and now I really think it's time I saw the actual movies!*

* I got to see the first one, 'The Fellowship of the Ring' (the extended version - all 200 minutes worth) on the big screen at the Embassy Theatre itself on Wednesday, December 10. Quite spectacular it was, although not entirely 'my cup of tea'! Will probably get to the next one, 'The Two Towers' shortly.

- Malcolm Sparrow

[Click on the thumbnails below to see the full photo. Click on those numbers which are underlined to see a further photo taken by another individual nearer to the start of the parade in Lambton Quay.]

1. At the airport more than two weeks earlier
2. New Zealand Post House - sample of one commemorative postage stamp
3-5. Outside Parliament Buildings more than 2 hours before parade commencement
6. Lambton Quay near Willis St at 1.48pm (near the spot where I viewed the parade)
7. Manners St
8. Courtenay Place filling up at 2.05pm

9. Courtenay Place leading to the Embassy Theatre
10-12. The red carpet in Courtenay Place
13-14. Across the street from my actual viewing spot at 3.35pm
15. The friendly warriors leading the parade
16. The man of the moment, director Peter Jackson

17-24. The parade

25-32. The parade

34-37. The parade
38. Crowded Lambton Quay at 3.57pm after the parade
39. The aftermath
40. Low-flying Air New Zealand plane decorated with Lord of the Rings artwork