DoC ponders 'Rings' filming in park

By VANESSA BIDOIS

TAUMARUNUI - The Department of Conservation is under pressure to allow filming of the $360 million fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings in Tongariro National Park next month.

Regional conservator Paul Green will decide next week whether director Peter Jackson's Wellington-based company can film in the scenic park.

However, some worried locals fear the news will not be good.

Ruapehu District mayor Weston Kirton said yesterday that he understood the use of horses and helicopters by the film-makers would violate park laws.

There had also been reports from Taupo that local iwi objected to the application, he said.

"Ohakune people are absolutely up in arms about it because bookings have already been made and they're turning away people that could take those bookings."

Several hundred cast and crew are expected to take part in the month-long shoot, which will contribute an estimated $2 million in economic benefits to the region.

A spokesman for Taupo MP Mark Burton - who is also the Minister for Tourism - said Mr Burton had met Mr Jackson on Monday to discuss the use of the park.

"The minister is also well aware of local concerns ... but he's keen to reinforce the fact that it's still going through process and no decision has been made," the spokesman said.

Mr Green said a report by department staff would be sent to the film-makers by today.

They had promised to respond promptly and a ruling would be made early next week.

Iwi and the regional conservation board had been consulted about the request but the application had not been publicly advertised because of the tight timeframe.

Mr Green said the use of heavy machinery was restricted in the park but "sometimes you can do things and mitigate against them."

Mr Jackson and his production team visited the park in January to research possible sites, and a spokeswoman said yesterday that they were excited at the prospect of filming in the area.

Permission was given to The Lord of the Rings late last year to film on conservation land in the South Island, including Te Anau, Fiordland and the Wakatipu basin.