8 December 2005
City gears up for King Kong Red Carpet Screening
Wellington is awash with excitement around the upcoming Red Carpet Screening of King Kong on Wednesday 14 December and
the City Council is offering the public the chance to win one of 50 double passes to the grandstands in Courtenay Place.
Director Peter Jackson, and actors Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, and Andy Serkis, who performs the role as Kong, will all
be attending as well as a number of New Zealand celebrities. Thousands of people are expected to gather in Courtenay
Place to join the celebrations.
Mayor Kerry Prendergast says a great event is planned. “We’re rolling out the red carpet again to celebrate a fantastic
new film by a fantastic local hero. We know how Wellingtonians love these events and the whole city really comes
together to celebrate. There’s going to be great vantage points along the red carpet but we also wanted to offer members
of the public the opportunity to get a good view of the proceedings from the grandstands. People need to get in quick to
register to win one of the double passes.”
The two grandstands will be erected on Cambridge and Kent Terraces. People can enter the draw to win one of the 50
double passes by entering online at www.Wellington.govt.nz or at the following Council facilities before 4pm Sunday 11
December:
- Wellington City Council Service Centre, 101 Wakefield Street
- Wellington Central Library, Civic Square, Wellington
- Ruth Gotleib Library, 101 Kilbirnie Crescent, Kilbirnie
- Johnsonville Library, 5 Broderick Road, Johnsonville
- Karori Library, 253 Karori Road, Karori.
Winners will be contacted on Monday 12 December.
The red carpet will run from Allen Street to the Embassy Theatre. A big screen will be placed near the Cambridge
Terrace-end of Courtenay Place so everyone can see the action. Entertainment on the red carpet consisting of buskers,
stilt walkers and comedy routines will start at 3.30pm. Local band OdESSA will get the crowd going before the parade of
stars along the red carpet starts at 5.30pm. The invitation-only screening of King Kong starts at the Embassy Theatre at
around 7pm.
In order to prepare Courtenay Place for the Red Carpet Screening the following roads will be closed to most vehicles
from 11pm Tuesday 13 December until around 4am Thursday 15 December:
• Courtenay Place (Tory Street to Cambridge Terrace)
• Cambridge Terrace (Tennyson Street to Wakefield Street)
• Kent Terrace (Wakefield Street to Elizabeth Street).
Allen and Blair Streets will remain open to vehicles until 3pm Wednesday 14 December after which portions of those
streets will close for red carpet preparations.
There will be a single lane on Kent Terrace which will allow for a left-turn on Majoribanks Street from 11pm Tuesday 13
December until noon Wednesday 14 December. At noon on Wednesday 14 December, Kent Terrace and Majoribanks Street will be
closed to traffic.
As a result of the road closures there will be traffic diversions and no parking available in the closed-off zone.
Temporary bus stops will also be in place. The Council is asking motorists to ensure their vehicles do not remain in the
no-parking zone, and that they pay close attention to all traffic signage on the day and follow any traffic diversions.
Northbound buses to the railway station will operate on Courtenay Place throughout the morning rush until 9.30am on
Wednesday 14 December. The only other vehicles allowed are emergency vehicles and those authorised for set-up. Emergency
services and Police are aware of the closures and will have alternative routes planned.
Mayor Prendergast is also encouraging people coming to the Red Carpet Screening to check out the recently installed
Tripod sculpture in Courtenay Place. Created by Richard Taylor and Weta Workshop, Tripod acknowledges the contribution
of the local film and television industry. “Tripod has been warmly received with many people stopping to have their
photo taken beside it. It’s a great addition to Courtenay Place - everyone should check it out when they are down
there.”
ENDS