The lobby of St. James Theatre in Auckland has been restored with a celebration of cock-tail party and fashion show on 10th April, 2015.

Mr. Niu talks with Mayor Len Brown

Mr. Niu Qingbao, Consul General of China in Auckland, Mr. Len Brown, Mayor of Auckland, famous costume designer, Dame Trelise Cooper and around hundreds of dignitaries attended the celebration and congratulated Relianz Holdings Ltd. for committing many millions to the restoration work.

Group photo

Though the theatre is to re-open on May 2 in time for NZ Music Month, it is estimated the entire restoration work would cost tens of millions of dollars prior to its completion in 2018. Representatives of the Relianz Holdings Ltd. believe that the relevance of the St. James Theatre is much the same as the Civic is for older Aucklanders.

Interviewed by TV33