Bridgeway

Specialties

We offer the very best in new release arthouse films together with upmarket commercial releases, regular special film events and festivals, all in a warm, intimate environment of architecturally design.

History

Established in 1927.

The Onewa Picture Drome (now the Bridgeway)

and the Waitemata Bus & Transport Company Ltd

bus barn, offices and several shops were built in 1927

by E. and J. Fraser, engineers. By 1929, the theatre’s

name had changed to the Palais because of the free

dances, parties and fancy dress occasions that were

held after the pictures, with the theatre seats pushed

back to the walls. It was renamed King’s Theatre

during the 1930s and The Bridgeway after the

Harbour Bridge was built. The cinema underwent

major refurbishment in 2000, and the old bus barn

became a second cinema. When the Waitemata Bus

Co. was first established after the World War I,

the distinctive red buses were housed in the old

wooden barn behind the cinema in Clarence Rd.

Meet the Business Owner

Kelly R.

Business Owner

Kelly Rogers and David Ross have a background in upmarket cinemas, they started Rialto Cinemas 20 years ago, beginning with a small cinema complex in Auckland, NZ & established it to become a national chain. They sold out of their Rialto Cinema interests a few years ago and now co-​own the successful Bridgeway Cinemas in Northcote Point, Auckland and Monterey Cinema in Howick. They also co-​own an upmarket cinema in Tauranga, and own and operate a leading independent film distribution company in NZ & Australia. David also started the hugely successful Rialto Channel on Sky TV.