Nothing goes to waste: kept in a shoebox since 1986, these photographs were taken on a borrowed Minolta 35mm “point and shoot” camera, when every frame on a roll counted.

Dave Dobbyn and the Stone People (or DD Smash mark II – or III) on Coronet Peak, Queenstown, April 1986. From left: Ian Belton, Dave Dobbyn, Gary Verberne, cameraman Peter Janes, film sound tech Bruce Adams.
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“Frosty the Snowman / Was a jolly happy soul ...”

Ian Belton, Australian bassist. Earlier, he was a member of QED with Jenny Morris, and played in Malcolm McCallum’s band. Seven years after this Stone People tour he died of cancer, on 2 May 1993.

Mustering ideas for the Footrot Flats soundtrack, central Otago.
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Ian Belton and Dave Dobbyn, central Otago, on the way to Ashburton.

Kaikoura Coast (from left): Roger King, Bruce Adams, Gary Verberne, Peter Warren, Dave Dobbyn.

“Your name’s on the door ...”
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Near Kaikoura; road manager Mike “Snapper” Knapp (right) would later drum for the Warratahs.
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Was there a Customs search entering Ashburton? Roger King with suitcase (The Press), Peter Janes (Rip It Up, Alannah Currie on cover), Peter Warren (Shake!, Simon Le Bon).
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Mike “Snapper” Knapp compares ozone depletion with the RNZAF, Ohakea.
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“Heroes, villains, blue faded under glass / bow-tied men rip tickets to pieces.” – ‘Palace’

The Stone People on a reconnaissance mission to Ohakea air base (L-R): Gary Verberne, Ian Belton, Dave Dobbyn, Peter Warren.

Peter Warren with a vintage RNZAF drone.
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Peter Janes films Ian Belton during soundcheck, Ohakea.
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Dave Dobbyn high above the Rangitikei River, Omatane.

Boy oh boy it’s a Lincoln toy: Dobbyn and Warren at Waiouru.
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Noise-cancelling headphones courtesy the Quartermaster’s store.

The Stone People meet the entertainment committee at Waiouru Military Camp.

Tuesday at Waiouru: Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando. Wednesday: Dobbyn and the Stone People.
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Photographs © Chris Bourke