New Hobbit film gets Wellington premiere

Prime Minister John Key is shown the interior of a "hobbit house" by film director, Sir Peter Jackson. Photo / Alan Gibson.

Wellington will host the premiere of the latest Peter Jackson blockbuster The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in late November 2012.

Sir Peter Jackson, Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow made the announcement at a press conference in Matamata this morning.

The premiere will be prior to the worldwide release of the movie on December 14, 2012.

At the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata today was Prime Minister John Key, who was being hosted by director Peter Jackson.

Sir Peter said filming was going well.

"There's room for things to go wrong but fingers crossed it will all go well."

Asked if his appearance with Mr Key was an endorsement for the election, Sir Peter said he was "not really a political person."

He said National's help in changing labour laws had greatly helped keep the Hobbit in New Zealand, but he had also worked closely with other governments in the past, including Helen Clark's.

- NZ Herald staff