A local cinema chain is pushing ahead with expansion plans, despite the challenges caused by the pandemic.
Silky Otter Cinema in Wigram, Christchurch Photo: Supplied
Silky Otter Cinemas, which runs two luxury cinemas in Auckland and Christchurch, is planning to add three more to its line up next year.
It's opening new theatres in Auckland, Richmond and Queenstown.
Chief executive Neil Lambert said movie going was still popular despite Covid and believed it has a future.
"Movies endure and the reason they endure is because you can't beat that experience of getting out of your home, off your couch and sitting in a darkened auditorium with a perfect picture, perfect sound and getting swept away in the emotion of it.
"For me that was always key in [why] it was going to come back which is why we forged ahead with what we're doing."
Lambert said the world has changed and people don't want to be "crammed in like sardines", which suited Silky Otter's business model.
"All of our auditoriums are no more than 48 seats, all spacious so you're distanced within that space," he said.
Lambert said their Auckland cinema had already sold out well into next week as the city reopened.
Silky Otter said its cinemas all have recliner chairs, full service bar and kitchen and food delivered to seats.
Managing director Ahmed Almukhtar said it catered to all film lovers.
"As film lovers, we want people to not only see the films they want, but have an experience so good that they keep coming back for more."
Silk Otter was one of many Auckland movie theatres that were forced to close on 17 August when the country went into lockdown. Unlike many businesses which have since opened as restrictions eased, cinemas have remained closed.
Today, their doors have finally opened once again as the country moved to the traffic light system.
But going to the movies will be a different experience under the traffic light system.
As no area of the country has started off in 'green', only people who are vaccinated, or those aged under 12, are able to go to public screenings under the new framework - not just in Auckland but anywhere in the country.
However, cinemas can hold "gatherings" (private groups where attendees are known to each other) without using My Vaccine Pass. Numbers are limited to 25 under 'red' and '50' in 'orange' zones, according to advice from Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.
Theatres can move between using the vaccine pass, and not, but must clean between groups. All staff at any business using the vaccine pass must be vaccinated.
When using the vaccine pass in the red setting, numbers are limited to 100 per defined space, or based on 1m distancing - whichever is the lesser. People can still buy drinks and food and consume them in the theatre. Masks are "encouraged".