The Hobbit

Filming for The Hobbit movie has begun in Wellington.

Wanaka is reportedly in the sights of the makers of The Hobbit after Maori elders refused to let Peter Jackson film at the North Island mountain which doubled as Mt Doom in Lord of the Rings.

Key cast members of 'The Hobbit' made their first media appearance today, clearly ready to get the show on the road following chronic delays and industrial action.

The first day of shooting for the 'Hobbit' movies has been set for March 21, production company 3Foot7 announced today.

Sir Peter Jackson is recovering in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit after undergoing surgery for a stomach ulcer.

Sir Peter Jackson has been discharged from Wellington Hospital to complete his recovery at home, following an operation for a perforated ulcer, his publicist said today.

Sir Peter Jackson has undergone surgery after being admitted to Wellington Hospital with acute stomach pains.

An email from Sir Peter Jackson shows union action had nothing to do with Warner Bros.' decision on whether or not The Hobbit would be filmed in New Zealand, says Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly.

A casting agent for Wellington producer Sir Peter Jackson's planned film adaptations of The Hobbit has been dismissed after placing newspaper advertisements seeking extras with "light skin tones".

The Government moved swiftly to protect the fictional "little people" of the film industry, but has not showed the same commitment to the early education of New Zealand's own children, argues Darrell Latham.

Thanks to his considerable political nous, his out-and-out pragmatism and his canny ability to strike a deal in the least favourable of circumstances, John Key largely escaped being the latest victim of what the film industry - from Hollywood to Wellywood - is calling the Curse of the Hobbit.

Some actors and unionists at the centre of the row over the Hobbit movie have been given extra protection after receiving death threats.

The Hobbit movies have been saved for New Zealand through a deal with Warner Brothers that will give the producer a $20 million tax break and see labour law changes pushed through Parliament tomorrow.

Up to $34 million in tax breaks, a marketing credit and an urgent change to labour laws are the price of keeping The Hobbit in New Zealand.

Thousands of people gathered around the country today to rally against The Hobbit films moving offshore.