Camera House New Zealand History
1950's - 1970's
The story of Camera House began in 1952 with entrepreneur Sir Kerridge Odeon, theself-made businessman who at his peak owned 133 theatres, making it New Zealand’s largest cinema chain.
With the rise of cinema came the increasing popularity of cinema at home. Odeon seized the opportunity and began importing film and film equipment under the division Photographic Wholesalers NZ Ltd., shortly after opening the first Camera House located front and center of his cinema complex on Willis street, Wellingon, selling as well as offering home rental of 16mm cine film and equipment.
Auckland City Libraries - Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero Reference: 34-249 Photograph by Clifton Firth - Robert James Kerridge, 1957
King George theatre, High street.
Lower Hutt
In 1958, after working for Camera House for a number of years, a young photographer by the name of Maxwell Bruce opened and designed the layout of Lower Hutt’s first Camera House, located in the King George theatre, High street.
From the early 60s to late 70s Camera House grewexponentially in stores and popularity. The end of the 70s saw the end of an era for Kerridge Odeon. After being Knighted in1962 and having had many successful years of business Odeon retired in 1976, and then later passed away at his residence on the 26th of April, 1979.
Odeon's enterprise continued
1980's
Odeon's enterprise continued to operate throughout the 80s under the management of Kerridge and Williams family. In 1987, the same year the stock market crashed, Odeon's enterprise was acquired by Pacer Kerridge Corporation. The enterprise then drastically downsized in 1988 as New Zealand suffered a massive recession.
“Camera House survived”
1990's
In 1992 the Kerridge Corporation went into receivership and began selling off all assets. Camera House Ltd. found itself in the hands of the successful Japanese based company Fujifilm.
The 80s and 90s saw an increase in the hobbyist photographer market. Camera House received a much-needed rebranding and adopted a new slogan “Smile You’re at Camera House”.
Fujifilm acquired the Hanimex Group
2000,s
In the early 2000s, Fujifilm Japan foresaw the switch to digital photography. In 2004, Fujifilm acquired the Hanimex Group, who, at the time, were their largest distributor of Fujifilm’s products. This action further secured Fujifilm’s place in the market.With Hanimex Group now at the wheel, Camera House was rebranded once again to match the new digital age