This image captures a bustling Queen Street in 1967, a time capsule of the era's signage and advertising. Prominent names like Milne & Choyce, a historic Auckland department store, stand out among the crowd. Founded in 1867, Milne & Choyce exemplified the once-thriving retail scene Queen Street was striving to preserve.
The 1950s and 1960s saw Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's city centre in flux. Suburban sprawl and the rise of shopping malls chipped away at Queen Street's dominance as the shopping destination. Business owners fretted about the area's fading vibrancy, blaming outdated architecture and limited parking.
A heated debate raged over traffic management on Queen Street, the bustling commercial artery. The Business Association championed cars, while the City Council advocated for pedestrians and public transport. This clash would define the street's future for years to come.
This photograph was captured by G. Riethmaier for the National Publicity Studios. Established in 1945, the National Publicity Studios aimed to create a positive image of New Zealand by providing photographic, art, and display services to government departments.
Communicate New Zealand: AAQT 6539 A80981 R24461456. Photographer: G.Riethmaier. Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington.

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Our prints are respectfully restored and printed on gallery-quality Enhanced Matte paper.

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Our frames are sustainably sourced, solid wood frames handmade in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
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with 6cm border
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- We use gallery-quality enhanced matte paper (230gsm) using archival pigment inks on the latest Epson printers.
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