The Kiwi Concert Party was a group of New Zealand entertainers. They were originally called N.Z. Entertainment Unit, formed in 1941 within the 2nd N.Z. Expeditionary Force.[1] After World War II, the troupe toured New Zealand and Australia.[2]
Terry Vaughan was approached to take over directorship of this touring party and he acquiesced on the condition that he would have full hire-and-fire powers. Vaughan selected musicians from both Concert Party groups to form a big band (reeds, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section – no string section, but two musicians who doubled on violin)
Under the name of the New Zealand Kiwis, the group embarked to Brisbane in early April 1946 after a two-week warm-up season at His Majesty’s Theatre in Auckland. The Kiwis toured through Australia and New Zealand until 1954, including playing over two years at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne.[3] The revues included acts from female impersonators (including John Hunter), singers and comedians.