ODT

NewsApril 23

Otago lauded in Hobbit featurette

Two of Otago's best-kept secrets have been given global exposure by the stars of The Hobbit in the worldwide home entertainment release of The Desolation of Smaug this week.

DunedinMay 20

Hobbit film 'promotes smoking' to children

One of the world's leading anti-smoking researchers and campaigners has accused the New Zealand Government of hypocrisy and sabotaging its own efforts to eliminate tobacco use by 2025.

EntertainmentMay 3

'Hobbit' tome not for casual fans

At the end of any blockbuster fantasy, an enormous list of technical functions and the names of those who filled them winds slowly past our eyes.

NewsApril 26

Otago: Clip sells 'Hobbit' locations to world

Strath Taieri, Queenstown and Central Otago landscapes are being showcased to the world in a new six-minute film clip included in all DVD releases of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

EntertainmentMarch 21

Scenery stars in featurette

Worldwide fans of The Hobbit will be told Queenstown is ''a beautiful jewel at the bottom of the world'' and Strath Taieri is ''glorious'' when they watch a special feature on the locations used in the trilogy from the comfort of their own homes.

NationalJanuary 14

PM's office stands by number of 'Hobbit' jobs

The Prime Minister's office is standing by its tally of the number of jobs created by The Hobbit after criticism it had plucked the number "out of thin air".

EntertainmentJanuary 8

The Hobbit: should we have paid?

A majority of New Zealanders polled by the New Zealand Herald back the $67 million in tax breaks given to the producers of The Hobbit by the Government - but only if the films return more than that to the local economy.

EntertainmentDecember 14

Film review - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Director: Peter JacksonCast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen HunterRating: (M) 4 stars (out of 5)

QueenstownDecember 14

The Hobbit: The best is yet to come, we trust

Fire up your foot-long clay pipes, lean back, smile and breathe a sigh of relief, good people of the Shire, for the first instalment of The Hobbit is a hit. For the most part.

NationalDecember 13

Hobbit already driving rise in visitors

The Hobbit trilogy is already being credited with a big boost to New Zealand tourism with flight bookings jumping significantly as fans flock here for a taste of Middle-earth.

EntertainmentDecember 10

Dual role for Serkis in 'The Hobbit'

Andy Serkis reprises his role as Gollum in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," to be released worldwide this week, but his main role this time was as a second unit director, shooting battle sequences in 3D for director Peter Jackson.

BusinessDecember 5

Air NZ wins quick benefits from Hobbit

Air New Zealand says it is already benefiting from The Hobbit, even before the movie's wide release.

EntertainmentDecember 5

The Hobbit: A visual feast of cinema

I hope those who were excited about seeing The Hobbit are still so, after all the hype and negative publicity.

EntertainmentNovember 29

Star-gazers thrilled at red-carpet premiere

A gentle Wellington zephyr flapped flags welcoming the traveller all the way into the "Middle of Middle-earth" as Gandalf waved his wizard's staff from atop the Embassy Theatre.

EntertainmentNovember 28

Red carpet welcomes 'Hobbit' cast and crew

On the red carpet for the world premiere of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' in Wellington yesterday.

NationalNovember 25

Jackson races to finish final cut of Hobbit

Peter Jackson has finished his final cut of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, just days out from the film's premiere in Wellington.

NationalNovember 21

Peter Jackson 'mortified' over journalist's blacklisting

Sir Peter Jackson was "mortified" to hear that a journalist was blacklisted from covering The Hobbit premiere for writing too many negative stories about the movie.

NationalNovember 21

Animal handler 'never meant to harm Hobbit'

A wrangler at the centre of claims animals were mistreated during filming of The Hobbit stands by his allegations, but says he never intended "tarnishing" the movie or Sir Peter Jackson.

QueenstownNovember 20

NZ out to capitalise on 'Hobbit' fever

Queenstown and Glenorchy as Isengard and Lothlorien, the "ridiculously beautiful" drive between them and Hobbit-style hiking experienced in the Wakatipu are promoted in the latest evolution of Tourism New Zealand's "100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand" campaign.

NationalNovember 20

Hobbit producers deny mistreatment of animals

The Hobbit and its director Sir Peter Jackson are making headlines around the world amid allegations the production company is responsible for the deaths of up to 27 animals.

EntertainmentNovember 14

Hobbit stirs criticism, pride

Kiwi fans of The Hobbit are critical of the Government's and even director Sir Peter Jackson's role in the film trilogy's industrial relations dispute, a survey shows.

EntertainmentOctober 24

US comedian to appear in 'Hobbit' film

United States comedian and talk-show host Stephen Colbert will make an appearance in one of Peter Jackson's Hobbit films.

EntertainmentOctober 7

Wellington 'renamed' for Hobbit premiere

Wellington will briefly rename itself "The Middle of Middle-Earth" when it hosts the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on November 28.

QueenstownSeptember 23

'Highly impressed' by 'Hobbit' trailer depiction of NZ

Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler says he is "highly impressed" by the depiction of New Zealand as the "home of Middle-earth" in the second trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, released last week.

EntertainmentSeptember 17

Hobbit poster not NZ - report

The film industry's version of JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth is being touted as "100 Per Cent Pure New Zealand" but there is also a slice of English countryside.

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