Fans enthusiastic about Hobbit deal

File photo / Christine Cornege

The announcement The Hobbit will be shot in New Zealand has been greeted enthusiastically by Lord of the Rings fans all over the world.

The "Keep The Hobbit shoot in NZ" facebook page, which has more than 14,000 members, has been inundated with celebratory messages from across the globe following the decision.

"There is only one Lord of the Rings, which is Peter Jackson. And there is only one Middle Earth, which is New Zealand," wrote Sven Stadtmann, from Vienna in Austria.

"Great news today ... we American fans are celebrating that the 'real Middle Earth' will be seen in The Hobbit," Dan Given said.

Even Australian Lord of the Rings fans were happy with the decision.

"Congrats from across the Ditch! I am so pleased everything has worked out and that The Hobbit will be filmed where it should be filmed - in NZ!" Maureen Murnane said.

Actor Mark Harrison, who started the facebook group and organised rallies across New Zealand on Monday, said the decision was "fantastic news".

"It means there will be $650m of mobile capital in New Zealand instead of another country and that is money this country badly needs," he said. "Then there is the flow on affect to tourism and other industries."

Mr Harrison did not have any concerns with the Government's planned legislative changes to ensure contracted film workers cannot later argue in court they were employees.

"This is an area that needed clarification ever since the [James] Bryson case," he said. "It should have been changed by the Labour Government."

Mr Harrison said he not think the rallies influenced Warner Brothers decision to film in New Zealand, but said they were to support Sir Peter Jackson after the unions "had been knocking him for weeks".

Mr Harrison was scathing of the actions of the unions, who had asked their members to boycott the films, saying their actions have cost the country additional money and have damaged the image of unions in New Zealand.

"They should only blame themselves," he said. "In one fell swoop the unions have done more damage than any of the 1980s' reforms."

The message boards of Lord of the Rings fan site TheOneRing.net had a steady flow of comments following Prime Minister John Key announcement last night.

"My heartfelt congratulations to Peter Jackson, Weta and Co, the fans, and to New Zealand!" wrote "Owain".

"So happy with the news. Really hope those unions don't do anything during the production to make anyone regreat (sic) this wonderful news," posted "Richie Rich".

"Ainu Laire" said it was "good" the industrial law changes were limited to the film industry only.

"The tax breaks seem to be something that are due to what the film brings to the country - if the film is successful, better for [the] country/tourism, I would guess."