The State Visit to New Zealand of Their Imperial Majesties the Shahanshah Aryamehr and the Shahbanou of Iran 1974

This NFU production covers the Shah of Iran’s first tour downunder, and uses the occasion to showcase New Zealand to international viewers: from scenery to topdressing, dental clinics and Wellington Girls’ College. The four day visit could be seen as a symbol of globalisation: NZ had been cut adrift by Britain and was looking for markets for its lamb, cheese and wool, and to secure oil supplies. The Shah needed food for his modernising petroleum exporting country. (The booming trade was to be curtailed by the 1979 Iranian Revolution, when the Shah was exiled.)

New Zealand has been called the world’s largest farm.

– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

Arthur Everard

Director, Writer, Editor

Steve Gibb

Camera

Dougal Stevenson

Narrator

Brian Shennan

Sound

Paul Thompson

Camera

Dale Pomeroy

Camera