While this slide is for a Palmerston North business, Leader & Watt have since opened branches in both Levin and Foxton. But what makes this slide more interesting is what it says about how the Kiwi idea of 'home' was seen.

In postwar New Zealand home ownership was booming. In fact, owning a home was seen as a rite of passage and if you didn't own one by the time you were forty you were seen as rather suspect. Owning a home also meant maintaining it- the Black & Decker portable drill was invented in 1916 and has since gone through many different versions. This slide suggests that it would make a perfect gift for someone who has their own home (a young family starting out in their first home would need power tools- and fast!).

But this drill was sold to men- with the vision of the 'man of the house' being responsible for fixing and extending the home then accepted as normal. Until a couple of years ago a powertool retailer had a radio jingle saying that their stores were '...a man's world' showing that these outdated ideas have lingered.....

In the mid 20th century cinemas projected transparent slides onto their screen for a variety of reasons- mostly for advertising. However, the cinema management often used these slides for messages and announcements. This slide gives a festive greeting to its viewers. Given the lack of 'branding' we guess that it was used by an independent cinema rather than a large chain.

It was probably made and used between the 1930s and the 1950s.

Levin's famous Father Christmas, in a Covid-19 appropriate mask. In the New World carpark on the corner of Bath St & Oxford St, Levin. 

January 2022.

This Father Christmas was brought to Levin from Christchurch in the early 2000's by Malcolm and Mary Russell.  His once beckoning finger is no longer operational. At 15m tall he is quite the festive landmark.

Go north on state highway 1, on the right after you leave Levin.

go north on st.high way 1 on the right

go north on st.high way 1 on the right

the adventure park levin christmas 2007 the 2nd year hope forlots of years to come.15 metres tall was once the symbol of christmas for Chistchurch.brought to Levin by Mary and Malcolm Russell 5 years ago and fully restord after found in a field by a farmers warehouse santawas well loved in Christchurch for 40 years .He stood on the balcony of the then Hay Wrights then later Farmers showing that there were no many sleeps left

This large Father Christmas greets visitors at the Levin Adventure Park, Oxford Street.

This (2007) is the second year he has been at Levin, At 15 metres tall, he was once the symbol of christmas for Chistchurch. Brought to Levin by Mary and Malcolm Russell 5 years ago and fully restord (with mobilefinger beckoning children to the play park) after found in a field by a Farmers warehouse.

Santa was well loved in Christchurch for 40 years .He stood on the balcony of the the Hays store in Armagh Street (later called Haywright and Farmers)..

There is another one in Auckland and still working .he is lit up at night also See the nzhistory.net story.

We in the Heart of Horowhenua are so lucky .Merry Christmas every body from Philip /Taffy/ Williams