Hobbit fans descend on NZ

Photo / AIr NZ

Hobbit fans and media have descended on New Zealand for an exclusive Hobbit tour and screening of the final film in the trilogy.

The Hobbit Fan Fellowship is made up of 75 fans and 40 international media who will be visiting locations that appear in the Hobbit Trilogy and meeting behind-the-scenes talent involved in the films.

The trip will finish at Sir Peter Jackson's private studios in Wellington where they will see an exclusive screening of The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies.

More than 140,000 people applied to be a part of the tour.

The Hobbit Fan Fellowship is a collaboration between Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand and Warner Bros. Pictures and its film-making partners New Line and MGM.

A dream come true #HobbitFanContest me and my brother in New Zeland 😭😂 #faltoelgordito pic.twitter.com/q7gL8jXVjv

— Salvador Parada (@chiavitta) November 2, 2014

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon, who greeted the fans at Auckland Airport, said the visit was a huge opportunity to showcase destination New Zealand to a substantial global audience.

"These lucky fans have a fantastic itinerary planned, visiting some of New Zealand's most stunning landscapes.

"The social media coverage generated by these fans and the stories the media group will produce have the potential to be seen by millions of people around the world and we hope this may inspire more people to consider their own visit to Middle Earth."

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler was also at the airport to welcome the fans to Middle Earth.

"There is no doubt that the week that lies ahead for these fans is a once in a lifetime, ultimate trip which will connect the landscapes of Middle Earth with the experiences of New Zealand and bring to life a Middle Earth journey for each and every fan.

"The Hobbit Fan Fellowship will show how the fantasy of Middle Earth can become reality in the form of a New Zealand holiday, with the presence of international media in New Zealand ensuring this story is told to a worldwide audience."

The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies is due to be released in December.

#hobbitfancontest Big Kia Ora Welcome this morning! Thank you @FlyAirNZ for a fantastic and comfortable flight pic.twitter.com/8bRNxYgJYj

— Rachel Sherlock (@seekingwatson) November 2, 2014